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Nutrition and Healthy Aging: A Review

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The review attempts to highlight various dietary approaches for healthy aging; it examines the current evidence regarding the impact of various dietary components on physiological, cognitive, and functional outcomes in older adults. The aim is to promote nutritional awareness to add to what is currently reported in this field that helps for the needful revisions in the policy and in the current national nutrition strategy to incorporate effective public health communication on nutrition and aging.

Recent Findings

The relationship between diet and healthy aging is becoming increasingly clear with recent studies. Consuming a balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, has been linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases and better overall health in older adults. Specific dietary factors that have been found to be beneficial for healthy aging include adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet, Okinawa diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, and caloric restriction as well as the healthy eating index. Therefore, making dietary changes that promote healthy aging can be an important strategy for maintaining physical and cognitive function and preventing age-related diseases.

Summary

Adopting a healthy diet in older age can be an effective strategy for maintaining optimal health and function with adequate intake of protein, fiber, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids for better physical function, bone health, muscle strength, cognitive function, and lower risk of chronic diseases and disability.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank their institutional support, the University of Hyderabad, an Institution of Eminence (IoE), Government of India.

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  1. School of Medical Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India

    Keotshepile Precious Bojang & Varalakshmi Manchana

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Correspondence to Varalakshmi Manchana.

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Bojang, K.P., Manchana, V. Nutrition and Healthy Aging: A Review. Curr Nutr Rep 12, 369–375 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-023-00473-0

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