Summary:
A 15-year study by Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Aging, reveals that healthy diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and unsaturated fats can slow the progression of chronic diseases like dementia and heart disease in older adults. Conversely, pro-inflammatory diets high in processed meats, refined grains, and sugary beverages accelerate disease accumulation. The research emphasizes the critical role of dietary choices in managing multimorbidity in aging populations.
What This Means for You:
- Adopt diets like MIND, AHEI, or AMED to reduce the risk of dementia and cardiovascular disease.
- Limit intake of red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugary drinks to lower inflammation and disease risk.
- Focus on nutrient-dense foods such as nuts, legumes, and whole grains for long-term health benefits.
- Stay informed about evolving dietary recommendations tailored to specific age groups and health conditions.
The Foods That Delay Dementia and Heart Disease. Backed by a 15-Year Study:
A healthy diet can slow down the accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults, while inflammatory diets accelerate it. This is shown by a new study from Karolinska Institutet published in Nature Aging.
Researchers have investigated how four different diets affect the accumulation of chronic diseases in older adults. Three of the diets studied were healthy and focused on the intake of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, legumes, unsaturated fats, and reduced intake of sweets, red meat, processed meat, and butter/margarine. The fourth diet, however, was pro-inflammatory and focused on red and processed meat, refined grains, and sweetened beverages, with lower intake of vegetables, tea, and coffee.
Just over 2,400 older adults in Sweden were followed for 15 years. The researchers discovered that those who followed the healthy diets had a slower development of chronic diseases. This applied to cardiovascular disease and dementia, but not to diseases related to muscles and bones. Those who followed the pro-inflammatory diet, on the other hand, increased their risk of chronic diseases.
“Our results show how important diet is in influencing the development of multimorbidity in aging populations,” says co-first author Adrián Carballo-Casla, postdoctoral researcher at the Aging Research Centre, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet.
The next step in their research is to identify the dietary recommendations that may have the greatest impact on longevity and the groups of older adults who may benefit most from them, based on their age, gender, psychosocial background, and chronic diseases.
The study was funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) and the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, FORTE, among others. The researchers state that there are no conflicts of interest.
Facts about the diets:
MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay): A diet designed for brain health and to reduce the risk of dementia.
AHEI (Alternative Healthy Eating Index): A diet that measures adherence to dietary guidelines that reduce the risk of chronic diseases in general.
AMED (Alternative Mediterranean Diet): A modified version of the Mediterranean diet adapted to Western eating habits.
EDII (Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index): An index that estimates the inflammatory risks of a diet.
Extra Information:
Learn more about the MIND diet and its benefits | Explore the Mediterranean diet’s role in longevity
People Also Ask About:
- What is the MIND diet? A diet combining Mediterranean and DASH principles to support brain health.
- How does diet affect dementia risk? Nutrient-rich diets reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, key factors in dementia.
- What foods are pro-inflammatory? Red meat, processed foods, and sugary drinks.
- Can diet prevent heart disease? Yes, diets rich in whole grains, nuts, and unsaturated fats lower cardiovascular risks.
Expert Opinion:
“This study underscores the profound impact of dietary patterns on aging and chronic disease prevention. Tailoring diets to individual needs could revolutionize health outcomes for older adults.”
Key Terms:
- Chronic disease prevention through diet
- MIND diet for dementia prevention
- Anti-inflammatory foods for aging
- Healthy eating for older adults
- Longevity and dietary habits
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