A recent study has shown that switching from an unhealthy diet to a healthy diet after the age of 40 can increase the average life expectancy for both men and women.
During the study, researchers analyzed the health data of more than 103,000 participants in the UK Biobank program, and compared several popular dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet, a predominantly plant-based diet, and a diet designed to reduce the risk of diabetes. The results showed significant differences in the impact of these diets on the average lifespan of the study participants.
The results showed that switching from a less healthy diet to a healthier diet at age 45 leads to an increase in life expectancy of between 1.9 and 3 years for men, and between 1.5 and 2.3 years for women. The strongest association was observed between a diet that reduces the risk of developing diabetes and longevity in men, and between the Mediterranean diet in women.
The researchers pointed out that all healthy dietary models share basic characteristics, namely: increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and unsaturated fats, while reducing the intake of sugary foods, processed meats, and other less beneficial ingredients.
This association remained even after taking into account genetic predisposition to longevity. In other words, the presence or absence of so-called "longevity genes" did not negate the benefits of following a healthy diet.
The researchers emphasize that the study was observational, so it does not prove that dietary changes directly prolong life. However, the results suggest that diet quality may be related to age regardless of genetic factors.
