Eat This for 10% Lower Death Risk - Study

It appears there is always new information about how our diet impacts our health, and occasionally, a study even suggests that consuming specific foods may actually extend life expectancy—which is truly remarkable when you consider it.

Research published in the BMJ, a peer-reviewed journal, concluded that nuts, seeds, and plant oils were associated with a lower risk of death

The research analyzed data from 41 studies, conducted between 1991 and 2021—all of which observed a connection between alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and the risk of death. In total, the combined studies included approximately 120,000 participants aged 18 to 98.

ALA is a type of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in plants like soybeans, nuts, and flaxseed—and it is thought to be the reason why these types of foods may contribute to longevity.

After accounting for bias and other factors in data collection, they discovered that consuming plenty of foods rich in ALA may result in a 10% lower risk of death from all causes—specifically, an 8% lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease and an 11% lower risk of death due to coronary heart disease.

Although the risk of death was lower, especially due to those two defined causes, researchers did note that higher ALA intake was also associated with a slightly higher risk of cancer. Specifically, they observed 63 extra cancer deaths in the groups with the highest levels of ALA intake compared to those with lower levels.

They also emphasize that while many studies were considered, they were observational studies, meaning it is not possible to claim causality. Therefore, although there may be a link between higher ALA intake and a lower risk of death, based on this data, researchers cannot definitively say that eating more foods containing ALA will promote longevity.

Longevity experts believe certain habits are crucial for a long life. Sergey Young, aiming to live to 200, shared his essential tips on the mindbodygreen podcast.