A new Chinese study has revealed that women over the age of 80 who eat meat daily are more likely to reach the age of 100 compared to vegetarians, but only if they are slim.
This difference was not observed in women of normal or overweight weight, nor was a significant association found between longevity and vegetarianism in men.
The study, one of the largest studies of the elderly in the world, included more than 5,000 people aged 80 and over. Researchers from Fudan University, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University compared 1,459 centenarians (over 100 years old) with 3,744 people in their eighties and nineties.
Analyzing the results, the team found that body mass index partially explains this relationship, pointing to what is known as the "obesity paradox," where increased body weight appears to be associated with better health outcomes in older adults, the opposite of what is observed in younger age groups.
The researchers found that daily meat consumption was associated with a 44% higher likelihood of reaching 100 years of age compared to a vegetarian diet, but only within the underweight group.
It is important to note that the study shows a statistical correlation, not a definitive causal relationship, and it did not track how dietary habits change over time, focusing only on what participants consumed in their later years.
In addition, it was found that vegetarians who ate fish, dairy, or eggs had similar chances of reaching 100 years of age to meat-eaters, suggesting that getting enough calories and protein may be the most important factor.
In a related context, previous research indicates that lifestyle choices, including diet, sleep, and physical activity, explain about 70% of reaching the age of nineay
It is also noted that plant-based and low-meat diets are generally associated with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, while processed and red meats are associated with worse health outcomes when consumed in excess, and therefore are recommended to be consumed in moderation.
The research team concludes that "a balance between animal and plant foods is essential for healthy longevity," emphasizing the need for more studies focusing on older adults to develop appropriate dietary guidelines.
