New Harvard research reveals the "anti-aging" diet plan
A recent study jointly conducted by Edith Cowan University, Queen's University Belfast and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shows that foods rich in flavonoids can reduce the three key risk factors for unhealthy aging, including physical weakness, decline in physical function and poor mental health. Increasing the intake of black tea, berries, citrus fruits and apples can help promote healthy aging.
"The goal of medical research is not merely to help people extend their lifespan, but to maintain their health as much as possible," noted Dr. Nicola Bondonno, a visiting lecturer at Edith Cowan University. "
Previous studies have shown that people with higher intake of flavonoids tend to have longer lifespans and are less prone to major chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes or heart disease.
Our new findings further indicate that people who consume more flavonoids tend to have a healthier aging process. The relevant research was published in the 《American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.》
This 24-year study, involving 62,743 women and 23,687 men, found that compared to the group with the lowest intake, the group with the highest intake of flavonoids had a 15% lower risk of physical weakness, a 12% lower risk of physical decline, and a 12% lower risk of mental health problems.
Although the correlation was weaker in the male group, higher flavonoid intake was still associated with a lower risk of mental health problems.
"The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids are well-known," explained Professor Aedin Cassidy, the corresponding author of the paper and from Queen's University Belfast.
"Flavonoids can maintain vascular health and even help preserve skeletal muscle mass - these are all crucial for preventing physical weakness during the aging process and maintaining overall physical and mental functions."
She added that regularly consuming foods rich in flavonoids such as berries, apples, red wine, citrus fruits and tea can help promote healthier aging by reducing the three major risks of aging - physical weakness, decline in bodily functions and poor mental health.
The stronger correlation observed in women might be due to the difference in follow-up time between the two cohorts, rather than a true gender-specific effect. This has not been fully explored in the existing studies.
Professor Eric Rimm from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health emphasized: "The data shows that by increasing the intake of three servings of flavonoid-rich foods per day, the three major risks of aging for women can be reduced by 6% to 11%, and the risk of mental health problems for men can be reduced by 15%."
Overall, these findings confirm the potential value of simple dietary adjustments in improving overall quality of life and optimizing healthy aging.
---- Source from SAST