Should our eating habits change as we age? A recent Australian study, published in the International Journal of Public Health established the association between food and healthy aging by exploring the association between food groups and signs of aging like memory loss, comorbid heart disease and diabetes (both Type 1 and 2). Certain foods lower the risk of memory loss and comorbid heart diseases associated with aging. [1]
Healthy eating for healthy aging. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The study was conducted on 139,096 adults, aged 45 years and over from New South Wales, Australia. The participants were from the 45 and Up Study, the largest ongoing study on healthy aging in Australia. They completed a baseline survey 2006–2009, following it up in 2012–2015. The data was then used to establish an association between food groups like fruits, vegetables, and cereals with healthy aging.
The researchers found that high consumption of vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich food is associated with lower chances of memory loss. high consumption of vegetables and fruits also seemed to lower the risks of comorbid heart diseases. Low consumption of cereals in participants who were 80 years and above, was linked with the highest odds in lowering risks of comorbid heart diseases and memory loss.
