Study links meat consumption to higher centenarian probability in specific groups

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has examined the relationship between dietary habits and the likelihood of reaching age 100 among individuals aged 80 and older.

Researchers from institutions including Fudan University and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed data from over 5,000 participants. The findings suggest that meat consumption is associated with a higher probability of reaching centenarian status, particularly among women with a low body mass index (BMI). Specifically, underweight women who consumed meat daily were 44 percent more likely to reach 100 compared to underweight vegetarian women.

However, the researchers noted that this association was not observed in participants with normal or overweight BMIs. No statistically significant association was found regarding meat consumption and longevity in men. The study suggests that nutritional status and energy intake may be critical factors, as low body weight can be linked to insufficient nutrient consumption.