Overview

• Over a 15-year follow-up of more than 2,400 Swedish adults, Nature Aging research compared three healthy eating patterns against a pro-inflammatory diet.
• Adherence to Mediterranean, MIND and Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) diets was linked to slower onset of cardiovascular disease and dementia.
• Diets high in red and processed meats, refined grains and sugary beverages accelerated the accumulation of multiple chronic conditions.
• Secondary analyses indicated an unexpected association between higher Alternate Mediterranean Diet scores and faster musculoskeletal disease progression, though its clinical relevance remains uncertain.
• The research team’s next step is to refine nutritional guidelines by aligning recommendations with older adults’ demographic and medical profiles.