HEALTH

Eating Plants: A Simple Way to Stay Sharp and Young

USATue Jul 08 2025
New research shows that eating more plants can help you stay healthy and live longer. This isn't just about eating salads. It's about a whole way of eating that focuses on plant-based foods. The study looked at over 105, 000 people. They were between 39 and 69 years old. Researchers tracked their diets for 30 years. They wanted to see how food choices in middle age affect health later in life. The study found that people who ate more plants were more likely to be healthy at 70 and 75. These people had no major health problems. They also had good mental and physical health. The researchers used a scoring system. It's called the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). People who scored high on this index were more likely to age well. They had a 86% better chance of being healthy at 70. At 75, they had 2. 2 times better chances. But what does this mean for you? It means that eating more plants can help you stay sharp and young. It's never too late to start. Even if you start in middle age, you can still see benefits. This study is just one piece of the puzzle. There are many factors that affect aging. But diet is one of the most important. So, if you want to stay healthy and live longer, consider eating more plants.

questions

    What specific mechanisms in plant-based foods are believed to contribute to healthy aging, and how were these mechanisms investigated in the study?
    Are there any hidden agendas behind promoting plant-based diets, such as reducing the meat industry's influence?
    What are the potential limitations of the study, and how might these impact the validity of the conclusions?

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