- A new study found that women who include enough protein, particularly plant protein, in their diet are likely to remain healthy as they age.
- Healthy aging is not just about adding years to the lifespan but living healthily without chronic conditions.
- A diet high in minimally processed, whole foods is recommended for maintaining physical and mental health during older age.
An estimated 15% of the population in the United States is currently older than 65, but that percentage is expected to increase to almost 25% by 2060.
In 2018, around
The risk of chronic conditions, such as hypertension,
A new study from Tufts University in Boston suggested that including more protein, particularly plant protein, in a dietary pattern during midlife is linked to healthier aging in females.
The study, led by researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA), was published January 17 in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition consultant for the National Coalition on Healthcare, not involved in the study, commented on the findings to Medical News Today:
“There is a strong connection between protein consumption during midlife and the probability of aging healthily. The research indicates that plant protein is the most effective in promoting healthy aging and maintaining a positive health status.”
The researchers analyzed self-reported data from the Harvard-based Nurses’ Health Study, which followed 48,000 female healthcare professionals from 1984 to 2016.
To assess dietary intake, they examined thousands of surveys that the participants completed every 4 years…
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