Researchers from the University of Bergen note that living longer and staying healthier can be supported by eating less processed meat and refined products while increasing the share of nuts and whole grains in daily meals. The findings are drawn from studies indexed in PubMed and the National Library of Medicine. [PubMed National Library of Medicine attribution]
The United Kingdom’s National Health Service has published a nutrition framework called the Eatwell Guide. Its purpose is to help people understand how proper nutrition supports well being. The guide recommends consuming five portions of fruits and vegetables daily and reducing the intake of refined carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fats, and salt. It also advises limiting processed meats and sugary beverages, while promoting water, nuts, and whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread and cereals. [NHS Eatwell Guide attribution]
In an effort to quantify the impact of these dietary choices, researchers examined how adherence to these recommendations might influence life expectancy and overall health. The study tracked 467,354 middle aged volunteers, gathering information about their eating habits and health status over time. The aim was to observe long term outcomes and to relate them to dietary patterns observed at baseline.
During follow up, investigators recorded mortality and the ages at which participants died. The results indicated that higher consumption of processed meats and refined flour products, along with frequent intake of sugary drinks, correlated with shorter lifespan compared with groups following healthier dietary patterns. Conversely, eating patterns aligned with the Eatwell Guide, including nuts, whole grains, fruits, and legumes, were associated with longer life expectancy. Even modest dietary changes, such as reducing added sugars, were associated with measurable gains in longevity, and full adherence to the guidance could be linked with meaningful extensions in years lived. [Study attribution]
Additional research efforts have explored nutrition strategies for brain health and cognitive function, highlighting connections between diet quality and neural performance across the lifespan. [Brain function research attribution]