Mixed
Adherence to a dietary pattern aligned with WHO chronic disease prevention guidelines is associated with a 13% lower risk of all-cause mortality over 20 years in men aged 50-70, independent of smoking and alcohol consumption.
For men over 50, focusing on a balanced diet that limits saturated fats and cholesterol while increasing fiber, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is associated with a significantly lower risk of death over two decades. This benefit holds true across different cultural backgrounds, suggesting that the overall pattern of eating is more important than any single food.
After adjustment for age, smoking, and alcohol consumption, the relative risk in the group with the healthiest diet indicator compared with the group with the least healthy was 0.87 (95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.98).
Why this rating
Longitudinal cohort study with 20-year follow-up and large sample size (n=3045), but relies on self-reported dietary history and observational data, preventing causal inference.
Source
Dietary pattern and 20 year mortality in elderly men in Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands: longitudinal cohort study
Patricia Huijbregts et al. · BMJ · 1997
DOI 10.1136/bmj.315.7099.13
Related findings · Mixed
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