The correlation between lifestyle choices and their impact on health and longevity, encompassing exercise, sleep patterns, and dietary habits, is a well-established concept. A study recently published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition explores the intriguing connection between having an early dinner and potential longevity, focusing on L’Aquila, a province in Abruzzo, Italy, known for its high population of nonagenarians (people aged 90 to 99) and centenarians (those reaching 100 years old). Examining 68 people from this region, the study sheds light on their dietary practices, specifically the timing of their evening meals.
Surprisingly, the majority of nonagenarians and centenarians in L’Aquila consumed their dinners early, typically around 7:13 pm. The researchers uncovered a distinctive dietary pattern among them, characterized by a tight calorie regimen. These individuals maintained low calorie intake for a significant duration, spanning 17.5 hours from dinner to lunch the following day.
The survey participants exhibited a diet rich in cereals, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, while their intake of meat, processed meat, eggs, and sweets remained notably low. This plant-forward approach aligns with patterns often associated with enhanced well-being and longevity. The researchers emphasized the importance of a daily caloric restriction lapse, optimizing metabolic response and hampering nocturnal postprandial stress, associated with high consumption of plant-based foods and physical activity for the longevity of centenarians from Abruzzo.
Beyond dietary habits, the nonagenarians and centenarians in L’Aquila maintained an active lifestyle by personally tending to their land, contributing to the broader understanding of lifestyle factors influencing longevity. The study suggests that eating early dinners and adopting specific dietary practices may play a role in promoting longevity.
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