The Secret to Aging Gracefully, According to a Harvard University Study

Take care of the health such physical as the mind is essential contribute to THE longevity and how you will live when you reach old age .

And, in this sense, THE food It is one of the fundamental pillars This must be taken into account.

As part of the annual meeting Nutrition 2024 which is organized by the American Nutrition Society of the United States (ASN), The findings of a new survey conducted by specialists in Harvard University .

The study analyzed data from more than 106,000 people since 1986 .

The participants were at least 39 years old and did not suffer from chronic diseases at the start of the research while every four years they answered questionnaires about how they managed their diet.

In 2016, the authors found that nearly half of the volunteers had died and that Only 9.2% survived to age 70 or older without chronic diseases and in good health. physical, mental and cognitive.

In other words, the results show that Less than 1 in 10 people were able to reach or exceed this age without a diagnosis. of this type.

With this data, the researchers Comparative rates of healthy aging based on eight dietary patterns defined in previous studies.

SO, were able to identify certain trends diets that predominated among people who lived longer and were healthier.

An article from the ASN who refers to this scientific work has described the latter as “aging gracefully” .

The team’s conclusions were featured in the 2024 edition of Nutrition which was held from June 29 to July 2 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.

The study found that People who maintained a healthy diet from age 40 were 43 to 84 percent more likely to be physically and mentally healthy at age 70. compared to those who did not.

The postdoctoral researcher of the TH Chan School of Public Health from Harvard, Anne-Julie Tessier clarified that the diet of these people tended to be rich in “fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats” .

“This suggests that What we eat in middle age can play a big role in how we age “, he said in press releases saved by the ASN.

In addition to the foods mentioned, Consumption of nuts, legumes and low-fat dairy products was also associated with higher risks to age healthily.

On the other hand, Higher intakes of trans fat, sodium, red meat and processed meat were associated with lower risks to have optimal aging.

While there are many studies that have analyzed the impact of diet on chronic disease risk, Tessier said this stands out because defines healthy aging not only as the absence of certain medical conditions, but also as the ability to be independent and enjoy a good quality of life. .

According to the expert, “Traditionally, research and resulting dietary guidelines have focused on preventing chronic disease. such as heart disease.

“Our study provides evidence that dietary recommendations They should consider not only disease prevention but also promoting healthy aging in general as a long-term goal. “, Tessier stressed.

In parallel with the above-mentioned results, the team of researchers found correlations with different types of diets .

On this point, they saw that The planetary health diet was associated with a 68% greater chance of healthy aging .

Generally speaking, it is a way of eating that In addition to promising benefits for the body, it aims to be environmentally friendly. .

The professor of University of London and co-author of research on this subject, Tim Lang he told the news agency Reuters in 2019, If the world followed this path, more than 11 million premature deaths could be avoided each year. .

Added to this is that Greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced and more land, water and biodiversity would be preserved according to the study carried out by Lang and his team.

Tessier explained that “this regime is based on the report of the Lancet EAT Commission that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins and healthy fats from sustainable sources “.

“The fact that it has become one of the leading diets associated with healthy aging This is particularly interesting because it supports the idea that we can eat a diet that can benefit both our health and the planet. ” said the expert.

It should not be forgotten that in addition to food, It is also essential to consider other aspects to promote health .

Among these are: maintaining good sleep hygiene, managing stress and exercising to name just a few relevant aspects.

On this last point, an article from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends to do at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week for adults .

For the case of the Children and adolescents suggest an average of 60 minutes per day .

If you have any questions about your health or eating habits, it is always advisable to consult a specialist. to assess your particular case and the best ways to approach it.