Study: What you eat at 40 influences your health and quality of life at 70

Discovering the formula for healthy aging is a priority for many people. Now, Harvard scientists suggest that what you eat daily influences how well you function physically and mentally in old age.

The study, presented in early July in Nutrition 2024 the American Society for Nutrition meeting, revealed that having a diet Eating nutritious foods from the age of 40 increases the chances of healthy aging in the future.

Researchers have interpreted the concept of “healthy aging” as living to at least age 70, being in good physical and cognitive condition, and being free of chronic diseases such as kidney failure, diabetes, and cancer.

Harvard researchers tracked data from more than 100,000 people who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study for 30 years. 70,467 women and 36,464 men were included.

Participants, who did not suffer from chronic diseases at the start of the study, were asked to complete a form about their eating habits every four years. from 1986 to 2010.

After analysis, the researchers found that half of the participants had died and Only 9% managed to survive to the age of 70, without presenting pathologies and in good physical and cognitive condition.

The main conclusion was that People who ate a diet that included nutritious foods since age 40 were between 43% and 84% more likely to age healthily. if we compare them to those who did not.

For specific foods, the team found that higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products were associated with greater odds of healthy aging. Higher intakes of sodium, meat, and trans fats were associated with lower odds of healthy aging.

“This suggests that what we eat in our midlife may play an important role in aging,” said Anne-Julie Tessier, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Although the researchers also took into account other variables such as exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption, diet remains closely linked to the process of aging well. “We were surprised by the strength of the association between healthy eating habits in midlife and a healthier lifestyle in old age, even after taking into account other factors, such as physical activity, which are also known to affect health.” Tessier said.

While there are many scientific studies that have looked at the relationship between diet and chronic disease prevention, the Harvard researcher suggests that this study focuses specifically on how a healthy diet can contribute to a better quality of life in old age.

Tessier also acknowledges that the research has several limitations, given that it is observational and relies on information provided by participants.

“Importantly, those who eat healthy diets are more likely to exercise, live in socially advantaged neighborhoods, have access to support that others do not have, and have better access to health care.” he indicated to NBCNews R. Sean Morrison, director of the Brookdale Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.