Healthy Carbs In Midlife Linked To Better Aging In Women

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BOSTON, MA (ANI)– A new study has found that eating high-quality carbohydrates and fiber during midlife may help women enjoy healthier lives as they age.

Researchers from Tufts University’s Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health looked at data from over 47,000 women in the long-running Nurses’ Health Study. They tracked the women’s diets from 1984 to 2016 and examined their health as they aged.

The study showed that women who ate more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and total dietary fiber during midlife were more likely to stay healthy in older age. This included staying free of major chronic diseases, keeping good mental health, and maintaining physical and cognitive abilities.

“We’ve all heard that different carbs affect us in different ways,” said lead author Andres Ardisson Korat. “But we wanted to know how these carbs impact health 30 years later—and we found that better carb quality may really help with healthy aging.”

According to the findings, women who ate more high-quality carbs and fiber had a 6% to 37% higher chance of aging healthfully. On the flip side, eating more refined carbs—such as added sugars, white bread, and starchy vegetables like potatoes—was linked to a 13% lower chance of healthy aging.

“These results support what we already know about the benefits of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes,” said senior author Qi Sun. “They’re not just good for avoiding disease, but also for staying sharp and active as we grow older.”

The researchers did note that most of the women in the study were white health professionals, so more research is needed in other groups. They also called for future studies to explore exactly how these foods support aging.

“Food choices in midlife really matter,” said Ardisson Korat. “The better we understand what helps people age well, the more we can help them live longer, healthier lives.”