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Centenarian Diet Study: Meat Eaters Outlive Vegans?
26 Jan
Summary
- Study on 5,000+ adults over 80 in China revealed non-meat eaters less likely to reach 100.
- Association between avoiding meat and lower centenarian likelihood was only seen in underweight participants.
- Including fish, dairy, or eggs improved survival likelihood for older non-meat eaters compared to strict plant-based.
A recent study tracking over 5,000 Chinese adults aged 80 and older indicated that individuals not consuming meat were less likely to reach 100 than their meat-eating counterparts. This finding, however, requires careful interpretation within the context of advanced age.
Crucially, the reduced likelihood of reaching 100 among non-meat eaters was exclusively observed in underweight participants. No such association was found in older adults maintaining a healthy weight, highlighting body weight as a key factor. The study also noted that older adults including fish, dairy, or eggs in their diets were just as likely to live to 100 as meat eaters.
Researchers suggest that moderate inclusion of animal-source foods may help prevent undernutrition and muscle mass loss in very old age. This contrasts with findings for younger adults where plant-based diets offer significant health benefits. The key takeaway emphasizes that nutritional needs shift across the lifespan, with older adults requiring careful planning and potential supplementation to ensure adequate intake of protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D.
