Despite the rising global popularity of healthy pro-vegetarian diets (PVGs), including the Mediterranean diet and its derivative DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), long-term evidence for the benefits of these dietary patterns remains lacking, especially in older populations.
In a recent study published in the journal *Nutrition, Health, and Aging*, researchers investigated the 12-year-long effects of three pre-defined PVG diets on both all-cause and specific-cause (cardiovascular disease [CVD] or cancer) mortality.
The study cohort comprised 597 Spanish adults over the age of 65. Data collection was predominantly questionnaire-based, with diet adherence representing this study’s variable of highest interest.
Study findings revealed that participants moderately adhering to the healthy PVG diet depicted lower mortality risk (all-cause and CVD), while those with a higher unhealthy PVG diet adherence displayed higher risk from these conditions.
The study highlights that the healthful PVG (hPVG) dietary pattern was associated with reduced risk of CVD and all-cause-related mortality. The unhealthful PVG (uPVG) diet was instead found to be associated with a higher risk of these conditions. This suggests that consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and olive oil may provide lasting benefits in today’s aging world. Unfortunately, this study fails to elucidate the mechanisms by which these foods confer protection, a requirement of future prospective studies.
