Adopting diets to stave off diabetes in your 40s could be key to keeping fit in your 70s, research suggests READ MORE: The diet that can 'keep mind sharp into 70s' and ward off dementia By Kate Pickles Health Editor For The Daily Mail Published: 17:21, 2 July 2024 | Updated: 18:06, 2 July 2024 e-mail 2 View comments Adopting diets to stave off diabetes in your 40s could be key to physical and mental fitness in your 70s, research suggests. Eating plenty of vegetables, whole grains and lean meats in middle age was found to help keep chronic illnesses and cognitive decline at bay decades later. The study involving more than 100,000 people spanning 30 years found those who followed one of eight healthy diet patterns were up to 84 per cent more likely to be functioning well at 70.
Harvard University experts said the links remained strong even when other lifestyle factors were factored in, emphasising that diet should be used to promote ageing well. While previous studies have shown that healthy lifestyles can help to ward off chronic diseases, here researchers looked at the absence of disease alongside the ability to live independently with a good quality of life. Eating plenty of vegetables, whole grains and lean meats in middle age was found to help keep chronic illnesses and cognitive decline at bay decades later They analysed data from more than 106,000 people dating back to 1986, from diet questionnaires taken every four years.
Participants were at least 39 years old and free.
