Eating different kinds of protein-rich foods helps older people live healthier and longer
Associations of diet patterns with successful aging, longevity, and extreme longevity: a prospective cohort study among Chinese adults 65 years or older
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Protein-enriched dietary diversity showed stronger associations with extreme longevity than other dietary indices studied.
Most longevity research emphasizes plant-based or calorie-restricted diets; this highlights protein diversity as a potentially underappreciated factor.
Practical Takeaways
Include a wider variety of protein sources in your diet, such as fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, and lean meats, especially if you're over 65.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Protein-enriched dietary diversity showed stronger associations with extreme longevity than other dietary indices studied.
Most longevity research emphasizes plant-based or calorie-restricted diets; this highlights protein diversity as a potentially underappreciated factor.
Practical Takeaways
Include a wider variety of protein sources in your diet, such as fish, poultry, eggs, legumes, and lean meats, especially if you're over 65.
Publication
Journal
European Journal of Nutrition
Year
2025
Authors
Yingying Chen, Yaning Sun, Yinyin Chen, Yawen Cao, Wenbin Fang, Mohamed Sannoh, Gui-ping Pan
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Claims (4)
Eating lots of fruits and veggies, some lean meats, and a good mix of healthy fats might help you feel better and live longer.
Older adults in China who eat a more varied diet with plenty of different protein-rich foods tend to live longer — each step up in dietary variety is linked to a better chance of living longer.
Older Chinese adults who eat a more varied diet rich in protein are much more likely to live to an extremely old age compared to those who don’t.
Eating a more varied diet with plenty of protein might help older Chinese adults age more healthily — for every step up in diet quality, the odds of aging well go up by 20%.