No longer can your grandfather claim it doesn’t matter what he eats. According to a new study, eating healthy foods can help men and women live longer, no matter how old they might be.  

Researchers at the University of Maryland arrived at these results by studying the eating habits of 2,500 men and women, ranging in age from 70 – 79, for a period of ten years. What they found is that those who primarily consumed high-fat dairy items like ice cream and cheese were 40% more likely to die in a ten-year period than those who ate healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Those with a sweet tooth were 37% more likely to kick the bucket than those who watched their deit. Scientists were surprised to note that seniors who ate meat, fried foods, and drank alcohol weren’t any more likely to die than the healthy eaters, but attribute this unexpected find to the fact that the meat eaters still ate more healthy food than the dairy gang.

“Our study, and previous studies, support the idea that that older adults can affect their health and longevity by following a dietary pattern that is high in healthy foods,” said Amy Anderson, study researcher at the department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Maryland.

Is this news shocking? Not really. But it is nice to know that older people can still play an active role in lengthening their lives. Grandpa will never be too old to give up on healthy eating.

Source: MSNBC

Tags: health, diet, men's health
Categories: Men's health