Enhance Your Life Expectancy by Up to a Decade with a Healthy Diet
Published: 21 November 2023
New paper from Dr Carlos Celis-Morales
Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom
Lars T. Fadnes, Carlos Celis-Morales, Jan-Magnus Økland, Solange Parra-Soto, Katherine M. Livingstone, Frederick K. Ho, Jill P. Pell, Rajiv Balakrishna, Elaheh Javadi Arjmand, Kjell Arne Johansson, Øystein A. Haaland & John C. Mathers
Summary
This captivating research, spearheaded by Dr. Carlos Celis from SCMH, unveils a compelling possibility: simply altering your diet could extend your lifespan by as much as ten years. Utilizing data from the UK Biobank, the study reveals that transitioning from less healthy eating patterns to those recommended in the Eatwell Guide can significantly increase life expectancy — potentially adding up to 8.9 years for men and 8.6 years for women at the age of 40. Moreover, adopting dietary patterns associated with longer lifespans could offer an additional increase of 10.8 years for men and 10.4 years for women. The most substantial improvement in life expectancy is linked to a higher consumption of whole grains, nuts, and fruits, alongside a decrease in sugar-sweetened beverages and processed meats. This study not only highlights the advantages of healthy eating but also provides crucial insights that could influence future health policy development. For an in-depth understanding of this study and its global collaboration, visit Nature Foods: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00868-w
First published: 21 November 2023