What To Eat For Longevity (According To A Major New Harvard Study)

In this piece, renowned cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn shares what you need to know about eating for optimal health. If you're interested in learning more, check out his mindbodygreen class, Everyday Hacks for Long-Lasting Health: How to Eat, Move & Live for Longevity.

There seem to be more opinions on optimal eating patterns than there are stars in the sky. So when a major scientific contribution to nutrition comes out, it's important to take note.

Such a report was published in a major medical journal this week: It's the largest study ever comparing animal protein sources (red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy) with plant-based protein sources (bread, cereals, pasta, nuts, beans, and legumes). It examined over 130,000 participants, spanned 32 years, and was authored by some of the world's leaders in longevity and nutrition (Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health and Dr. Valter Longo of the University of Southern California). In other words: Before you express any opinion on what your breakfast, lunch, and dinner should comprise, you need to pay proper attention to this study first.

Participants who were obese and had the highest alcohol intake who also ate animal protein sources had the highest death rates. The association between eating animal protein sources and increased death was strongest for those with unhealthy lifestyles. Those with the unhealthy lifestyles and increased death rates ate more unprocessed and processed red meats, eggs, and high-fat dairy and less chicken, fish, and low-fat dairy. The association of increased death rates in those who consumed more animal protein sources was also stronger in participants with diabetes mellitus.

The researchers calculated that opting for plant protein sources in place of animal protein would greatly reduce CVD deaths. They also found that switching from eggs to plant proteins was associated with a 17 percent drop in cancer deaths.

The study authors concluded that "high animal protein intake was positively associated with mortality and high plant protein intake was inversely associated with mortality, especially among individuals with at least one lifestyle risk factor. Substitution of plant protein for animal protein, especially that from processed red meat, was associated with lower mortality."

Of course, it's only a matter of time until counterarguments about the advantages of grass-fed and organic sources of animal meats, eggs, and dairy surface. But the data are robust, and the message is clear. Animal proteins, as found in meat, eggs, and dairy, are unaffected by the manner of animal husbandry and there are multiple pathways linking animal proteins to inflammation, disease, and death.