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Integrative Health

New Study Reveals One Overlooked Nutrient That Supports Aging Well

Ava Durgin
Author:
Ava Durgin
August 06, 2025
Ava Durgin
Assistant Health Editor
By Ava Durgin
Assistant Health Editor
Ava Durgin is the Assistant Health Editor at mindbodygreen. She is a recent graduate from Duke University where she received a B.A. in Global Health and Psychology. In her previous work, Ava served as the Patient Education Lead for Duke Hospital affiliated programs, focusing on combating food insecurity and childhood obesity.
Overhead Photo of Fruits, Vegetables, and Legumes in Reusable Bags
Image by Toma Evsuvdo / Stocksy
August 06, 2025

We all want to age well, staying sharp, strong, and independent for as long as possible. And while there’s no magic bullet, researchers may have uncovered something surprisingly simple that supports all three: flavonoid-rich foods.

A new study,1 spanning over two decades and nearly 90,000 participants, has found that adding just a few servings of flavonoid-rich foods like berries, black tea, apples, and citrus fruits to your daily routine may help protect your body and mind as you get older.

The flavonoid-aging connection, explained

Flavonoids are naturally occurring compounds found in many fruits, vegetables, teas, and wines. They're already known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but this large-scale study set out to see if they could directly influence aging outcomes like frailty, physical decline, and mental health.

Spoiler: They can.

Using data from two long-term health studies, the researchers tracked participants aged 60+ for up to 24 years. Participants regularly completed food frequency questionnaires and reported health outcomes like energy levels, physical ability, and mood.

What the study found

For women with the highest intake of flavonoid-rich foods:

  • 15% lower risk of frailty
  • 12% lower risk of impaired physical function
  • 12% lower risk of poor mental health

In men, the most consistent benefit was mental health:

And those who increased their intake over time saw greater benefits. Adding three extra servings of flavonoid-rich foods a day led to a 6–11% lower risk across all aging outcomes in women.

Which foods did the heavy lifting?

The foods most strongly associated with healthy aging were:

  • Blueberries
  • Apples
  • Oranges
  • Black tea
  • Red wine (in moderation)

These were linked to reduced risk of all three major aging concerns: frailty, loss of physical ability, and mental decline. Even modest increases (about a half-serving per day) of these foods showed measurable improvements over time.

The power of flavonoids 

Flavonoids work in several ways to protect aging bodies and brains. They:

Some clinical trials have also shown flavonoids can increase muscle mass and gait speed6 in older adults, further supporting their role in preserving independence and quality of life.

How to up your intake

You don’t need a total diet overhaul. You don’t need expensive superfoods. You just need a few daily servings of flavonoid-rich foods to make a difference, such as:

  • Adding in a daily cup of black tea
  • Adding berries to your morning yogurt bowl
  • Packing an apple or an orange as a snack
  • A square of high-quality chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth

The takeaway

Aging well isn’t just about genetics or luck—it’s about consistent, simple habits that support your body and brain over time. 

With a few extra servings of berries, tea, or fruit, you’re not just eating well, you’re investing in a future that’s stronger, sharper, and more independent.