With Thanksgiving just a week away, many of us have carbs on the brain. While carbohydrates sometimes get a bad rap, recent research shows that “high quality” carbs are actually linked with healthy aging.
What exactly are “high quality” carbs? According to a study published earlier this year in the JAMA journal, they include carbs from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. Authors of the study said they found that intakes of these carbs, along with total dietary fiber, in midlife were associated with increased odds of healthy aging “and several domains of positive health status in older adulthood.”
This research was based on a cohort study of 47,513 women with a baseline age around 48 years. Researchers noted that the population of older adults in the U.S. is expected to double over the next four decades.
“Importantly, this group bears a disproportionately large burden of chronic diseases and declining physical and cognitive function,” they said. “Diet is an important determinant of chronic diseases, premature death, physical frailty, and healthy aging.”
Already, 50% of the U.S. energy intake currently comes from carbohydrates. However, most of that intake comes from refined carbohydrates such as processed white bread, with only 8% coming from the of high-quality sources linked with positive health outcomes.
“Refined carbohydrates were associated with lower odds of healthy aging,” the authors said. “Intakes of carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains were positively associated with odds of healthy aging. Additionally, intakes of total dietary fiber and fiber from fruits, vegetables, and cereals were associated with higher odds of healthy aging.”
These results indicate that dietary carbohydrate quality may be an important determinant of healthy aging. A 2018 study published in the Lancet journal also found that both high and low carb diets were associated with increased mortality, with a sweet spot of around 50% to 55% carb intake.
So, women shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying mashed potatoes and cranberries this Thanksgiving, especially if they aren’t refined.