Women who consumed diets rich in high-quality carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, were more likely to stay healthy as they aged, according to a recent study from researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The study also found that diets high in low-quality carbohydrates—like added sugars, refined grains, and potatoes—were linked to a decreased likelihood of healthy aging.
Published on May 16 in JAMA Network Open, the study defined “healthy aging” as staying free from 11 major chronic diseases, including cancer, Type 2 diabetes, and heart failure, as well as maintaining good cognitive and physical function and mental health.
The researchers analyzed health data from over 47,000 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study from 1984 to 2016. (Note: federal funding for the Nurses’ Health Study was recently cut by the Trump administration.)
“Our findings align with previous research that shows a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes lowers the risk of chronic diseases. This study also shows their impact on physical and cognitive health,” said Qi Sun, senior author and associate professor at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in a press release from Tufts University.
A Fortune Well article on May 16 noted that the study focused on fiber-rich foods, which nutrition experts generally recommend over fiber supplements.
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