Overview

• The Nature Aging study published July 28 tracked four dietary patterns among 2,400 Swedish adults aged 60 and older over a 15-year period using food frequency questionnaires.
• Long-term adherence to anti-inflammatory diets—AHEI, AMED and MIND—was linked to slower progression of cardiovascular disease and dementia, with no significant effect on musculoskeletal conditions.
• Diets scoring high on the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index, characterized by red and processed meats, refined grains and sugary beverages, were associated with faster multimorbidity accumulation.
• As an observational cohort study, the analysis identifies strong correlations between diet and disease accumulation but does not establish causation.
• Researchers plan to develop personalized dietary guidelines tailored to seniors’ demographics, psychosocial factors and existing health conditions.