Are you looking to improve your health and reduce your risk of premature death? A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that following certain healthy eating patterns can help you achieve those goals.
The study, which will be published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at data from over 75,000 women in the Nurses’ Health Study and 44,000 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Participants who scored high on adherence to at least one of four healthy eating patterns were less likely to die during the study period from any cause, as well as less likely to die from cardiovascular disease, cancer, or respiratory disease.
The healthy eating patterns examined in the study include the Healthy Eating Index 2015, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, Healthful Plant-based Diet Index, and Alternate Healthy Eating Index. These patterns emphasize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, among other nutrient-rich foods.
The findings of the study support the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend multiple healthy eating patterns. These guidelines are updated every five years by the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
Lead author Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology, emphasized the importance of evaluating adherence to these dietary patterns and their impact on health outcomes, including mortality. The results of this study will be valuable for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which is tasked with evaluating the latest evidence on eating patterns and health outcomes.
So, if you're looking to improve your health and reduce your risk of premature death, consider adopting one of the healthy eating patterns recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Your body will thank you for it!