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last mo.

Study Links Midlife Diet to Healthy Aging but Finds Few Achieve It

Harvard-led research highlights the Alternative Healthy Eating Index as the most effective diet for reaching age 70 in good health, though only 9.3% of participants met the criteria.

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Overview

  • Harvard's 30-year study of over 105,000 participants emphasizes the critical role of midlife dietary habits in promoting healthy aging.
  • The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) diet showed the strongest benefits, increasing the likelihood of healthy aging by 86%.
  • Healthy aging was defined as reaching age 70 without chronic diseases or impairments in cognitive, physical, or mental health, achieved by just 9.3% of participants.
  • Diets rich in plant-based foods and low in ultra-processed items were strongly linked to better aging outcomes, while high ultra-processed food intake reduced the odds by 32%.
  • Researchers stress the adaptability of healthy diets to individual and cultural preferences but caution that the study's observational nature limits causation claims.