Small changes in eating habits can prolong life
Improving diet quality over at least 12 years is associated with lower death rates from cardiovascular disease and other causes, according to the study.
It's hard to keep food on track all the time, but making small improvements by choosing healthier foods from time to time can significantly increase your chances of living longer, according to an American study published on Wednesday.
The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, is the first to show that improving diet quality over at least 12 years is associated with lower mortality rates from cardiovascular disease and other causes.
Researchers at Harvard University tracked dietary changes in a population of nearly 74,000 health professionals who recorded their eating habits every four years.
Researchers used a diet quality score system to assess how much diets had improved.
For example, a 20% increase in scores could be "achieved by trading only a portion of red meat or processed for a daily portion of nuts or vegetables," according to the survey.
Over the 12-year period, those who ate a little better than at first - mostly consuming more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fatty fish - had a risk of 8% to 17% lower than dying prematurely in the next 12 years.
Those whose diets worsened over time had a 6% to 12% increase in the risk of dying in the next 12 years of follow-up.
"Our findings highlight the long-term health benefits of improving diet quality, with an emphasis on general eating patterns rather than individual foods or nutrients," said study senior author Frank Hu, professor and chair of the study. Department of Nutrition, Harvard Chan School.
"A healthy eating pattern can be adopted according to people's food and cultural preferences and health conditions," he added. "There is no single diet for everyone."
I think most important dietary change for a better life is going vegan. Any food sourced from any animal is unnatural and unhealthy in long run.
Sourcing your food from different plants can provide all nutrition required to live healthy life.
I second that opinion! ✌️👍
I'd like to add that it's not just for our own good but it's good for all the animals, plants, environment and the planet at large. It's the best thing one can do without compromising one's taste buds and pleasure. Life becomes more meaningful with that! 👌👌👌
#go-vegan #save-planet ☝️
🎹 🥁 🎷 🎺 🎸 🎻 I’m trying to use a lot of emojis here to Celebrate the World Emoji Day this week. Are you? 🎊 🎉 🎉 🎉⛄️
Agree.
They say 'You are what you eat'! One small change I have made is to eat less meat. Consume meat no more than twice a week for better health. I try to enjoy (a quality piece of) meat sparingly - in smaller portions. My aim to limit my intake to 2 ounces or less of cooked meat five times a month. I choose mainly (organic) free range chicken, lamb or beef if possible. Preference is given to good meat that comes from animals that graze or forage freely, which likely leads to higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids and much less 'unwanted additives' like hormones.. I hope someone benefits from this tip. Cheers!
@andersonpereira yeah, food is very important
Upvoted and also resteemed :)
Thanks for supporting
Interesting post. I feel that this is so true. I grew up under a strict mother who believed in my diet consisting of a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and very little meat. So far it has worked well for me as I am coming up on my 81st birthday.
Good post! Upvote and follow for you!
I like fresh food :)
me too, I love seafood s2
Good :)
Eating smaller portions is key to losing weight and control intake of unhealthy food.
You don’t have to run a sub two-hour half marathon or do a set of bicep curls in under one minute to be successful and achieve your weight-loss goals.
Do what feels comfortable and natural, and always remember: Slow and steady wins the race!