A new study from Karolinska Institutet reveals that a nutritious diet could play a key role in slowing the progression of chronic diseases in older adults—while a diet high in inflammatory foods may accelerate them.
The research, which followed 2,400 elderly individuals in Sweden over a 15-year period, examined the impact of four different dietary patterns on long-term health outcomes. Three of the diets analysed were classified as healthy, emphasizing abundant intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and unsaturated fats. These diets also limited consumption of red and processed meats, sweets, and butter.
In contrast, the fourth diet was characterized as pro-inflammatory, featuring high levels of red and processed meats, refined grains, and sugar-sweetened beverages, while being low in protective foods such as vegetables, tea, and coffee.
Diet Linked to Disease Risk
The findings show that older adults who adhered to the healthier eating patterns experienced a slower onset and progression of chronic conditions—particularly cardiovascular disease and dementia. However, no significant protective effect was observed for musculoskeletal disorders such as arthritis or osteoporosis.
Conversely, participants who followed the pro-inflammatory diet showed a higher risk of developing multiple chronic diseases over time.
“Our results underscore just how crucial diet is in shaping the trajectory of multimorbidity in aging populations,” said Dr. Adrián Carballo-Casla, postdoctoral researcher at Karolinska Institutet and lead author of the study. “What we eat can either fuel or fight the chronic inflammation that underlies many age-related diseases.”
Multimorbidity – defined as the presence of two or more chronic conditions in an individual, affects a growing proportion of older adults and poses significant challenges to healthcare systems.
Towards Personalised Nutrition
The next phase of the research aims to develop more targeted dietary guidelines—identifying which nutritional strategies offer the greatest benefits for healthy aging, and for whom. The team will explore how factors such as age, gender, mental health, social circumstances, and existing medical conditions influence the effectiveness of dietary interventions.
As the global population ages, the study highlights the potential of diet as a powerful, low-cost tool for promoting longer, healthier lives.
“Good nutrition isn’t just about living longer—it’s about living better,” says Carballo-Casla. “With the right dietary advice, we may be able to delay or even prevent the onset of debilitating diseases in later life.”