A plant-based diet is one of several healthy eating patterns associated with a lower risk of premature death, according to new research. study Led by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and published in a medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
The researchers found that participants who scored higher in adhering to at least one of the four healthy eating patterns were less likely to die from any cause during the study period and were more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or less likely to die from respiratory disease. lower score.
According to the researchers, adherence to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA), which recommends multiple healthy eating patterns, is associated with long-term risk of death overall and by cause. Very few studies have evaluated it.
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“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is intended to provide science-based dietary advice that promotes good health and reduces major chronic diseases,” said corresponding author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Starr. Professor of Nutrition Epidemiology and Chair of the Department of Nutrition said. statement. “Therefore, it is important to examine the association between DGA-recommended dietary patterns and long-term health outcomes, especially mortality.”
A vegan diet can help you live longer
In this study, researchers used health data collected over 36 years from 75,230 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and 44,085 men who participated in the Health Professionals’ Follow-up Study. All participants were free of cardiovascular disease or cancer at the start of the study and completed dietary questionnaires every four years. , were scored based on the 4 Healthy Eating Patterns Index. plant based diet index, and an index of alternative healthy eating.
Adherence to at least one of these diets was associated with a reduced risk of premature death from all causes and premature death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory disease. The researchers found similar associations between diet quality and mortality because all four dietary patterns were important because they were high in plant foods, especially whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. I think it’s because we share important elements. And the researchers hope their findings will help inform updates on the DGA.
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“Our findings demonstrate that achieving long-term health benefits by adhering to a variety of healthy eating patterns that can be adopted based on individual health needs, food preferences, and cultural traditions is now a reality. While supporting the DGA’s recommendations, all these dietary patterns are conducive to high consumption of healthy plant foods,” the study concludes.
Health benefits of plant foods
The study points to a growing body of research demonstrating the health benefits of plant-based diets, including reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease.For example, a study published last month in a medical journal BMCmedicine Eating a plant-based diet rich in healthy plant foods such as whole grains, vegetables and legumes was found to be associated with lower risk. colorectal cancer 22% in men.
Another study published in a medical journal front line of public health Plant-based diet can protect against various cancers affecting the body, researchers have discovered digestive systemThese include pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, and liver cancer.
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In addition, studies from Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that intake of isoflavone-rich plant foods and Heart disease Risk. Analyzing data collected from more than 200,000 participants, the study found that eating tofu at least once a week lowered the risk of heart disease by 18%.
“If [an individual’s] If your diet includes unhealthy foods such as red meat, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates, you should switch to healthier alternatives,” said lead study author Qi Sun, M.D., Ph.D. says. “Tofu and other plant-based foods rich in isoflavones are excellent sources of protein and alternatives to animal protein.”
Benefits of plant-based foods for the elderly
Studies have also found that a plant-based diet may be beneficial later in life. For example, a vegan diet is associated with fewer prescribed medications for older adults . Researchers in one study pointed to data showing that people taking five or more medications a day had an 88% higher risk of adverse drug events and higher mortality.
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Research published in medical journals American Journal of Lifestyle Medicineconcluded that older adults on a healthy vegan or vegetarian diet were better protected for their health. It may help reduce the number of pills taken by preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease or by helping control such conditions, the study authors said.