A recent study from the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) cohort has underlined the pivotal role of protein intake from plant sources in determining the health trajectory of women entering their senior years. The findings were published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study encompassed a total of 48,762 female participants aged under 60 in 1984 after meticulous examination of the correlation between protein consumption and healthy aging. The study utilized validated food frequency questionnaires to categorize protein into total, animal, dairy, and plant sources.
The findings of the study indicated that individuals with higher protein intake exhibited significantly greater odds of experiencing healthy aging. For every 3% increase in energy derived from protein, the odds of healthy aging increased up to 1.05 for total protein, 1.07 for animal protein, 1.14 for dairy protein and 1.38 for plant protein.
The plant protein emerged as a standout contributor associated with healthy aging linked to a reduced likelihood of physical function limitations and positive mental health status. The study explored the impact of replacing animal or dairy protein, carbohydrates or fats with plant protein on healthy aging by revealing consistently positive associations.
These findings could potentially revolutionize dietary recommendations, specially for women in midlife, that advocates for a higher incorporation of plant-based proteins. This comprehensive study spanned over decades and added robust credibility to the results by making it a landmark exploration in the domain of nutritional science. The importance of diet in overall health has been a longstanding focus, however, this study provides critical insights into the specific role of protein by highlighting the potential longevity benefits associated with plant-based choices.
Reference:
Ardisson Korat, A. V., Shea, M. K., Jacques, P. F., Sebastiani, P., Wang, M., Eliassen, A. H., Willett, W. C., & Sun, Q. (2024). Dietary protein intake in midlife in relation to healthy aging – results from the prospective Nurses’ Health Study cohort. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.11.010