Better Diets, Lower Death Risk, but Exercise Explains Much of It
Graded Moderate — two US groups with 3,910 adults in total were observed; results differed between them, and physical activity muddied the diet link.
- Design
- Prospective cohort study
- Participants
- 3,910
- Duration
- —
- Funding
- Intramural Research Program of the US National Institute on Aging (NIH)
People who ate healthier diets died less often, but much of that link was tied to being more physically active.
People who ate a healthier diet were less likely to die during the study period. Depending on the group, the risk of death was 11 to 25 percent lower for each set step up in diet score. Healthy eaters also had a younger epigenetic clock. This clock uses chemical tags on DNA in the blood to estimate how fast the body is aging.
Researchers analyzed data from 3,910 adults in two large US health studies. Diet was rated with a scoring system, and deaths came from a national register. A clock called GrimAge predicted death most strongly. In one of the two groups, about 44 percent of the link between diet and death could be statistically explained by this clock. In the other group, no such pattern appeared. People's social and economic situation also shaped both diet and aging.
One finding matters most. When the team accounted for smoking, alcohol, calories and above all physical activity, the diet link in that group was no longer clear. People who eat well seem to often move more, too. The authors call their clock explanation exploratory.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.