Healthy Diet Promotes Fitness in Aging

It’s never too late to eat well! And science confirms this premise, too. A recent British study found that nutritious eating throughout adulthood leads to better physical performance in later years. Nearly 1,000 participants’ diets were analyzed at age 36, 43, 53, and 60-64, where diet quality was defined by higher consumption of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrain bread, and less refined carbohydrates and processed meats. Those with higher quality diets performed better in chair rise, standing balance, and timed up and go tests. Adults who improved their diet later in the study period still improved their physical performance, suggesting that improvements in older adults can still be beneficial.

So, get going on a plant-based diet filled with minimally processed, whole plant foods. Get my top tips for plant-based eating today.

(The Journals of Gerontology, October 2017)

Read the full study here.

Image: Herbed Lentil Patties with Mushroom Sauce, Sharon Palmer, RDN