In adults aged 65 and older, a nutrient-dense, plant-forward dietary pattern that includes minimally processed lean pork or lentils improves neuroactive metabolite profiles and bioactive amino acid levels over an 18-week period, suggesting that the source of dietary protein is less critical than overall dietary quality for brain-relevant metabolic health.

When older adults eat a nutrient-dense, plant-forward diet with either lean pork or lentils, their bodies get more of the building blocks needed to make brain-relevant chemicals. These building blocks, called amino acids, are used to produce compounds that affect brain function, and the overall quality of the diet ensures these compounds are made in sufficient amounts regardless of whether the protein comes from meat or plants.