Addressing Undernutrition in Older Adults with Plant-Based Products.
Horner KM, Corish CA, Quinn AM
Plant Based Nutrition
The beans, lentils, and peas you grow in your garden could be just as effective as meat at keeping aging family members strong and well-nourished, making plant-based eating a practical choice at every stage of life.
As people get older, not eating enough protein is a real health problem. Scientists looked at all the available studies and found that plant-based proteins — things like legumes, soy, and seeds — work about as well as meat and dairy for keeping muscles strong and maintaining a healthy weight in older adults. This means eating more plants isn't just good for the planet; it's also a genuinely viable option for people worried about staying healthy as they age.
Key Findings
No significant differences were found between plant-based and animal-based diets in outcomes including appetite, nutritional status, and long-term muscle protein synthesis in older adults.
Plant protein supplementation showed measurable improvements in nutritional status and muscle protein synthesis compared to before supplementation or lower protein intakes.
Key factors influencing plant protein effectiveness include the specific protein source, the food matrix (how it's prepared and combined), and the presence of other nutrients — not all plant proteins are equal.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A review of existing research finds that plant-based proteins can adequately support older adults' nutritional needs, with no significant disadvantage compared to animal proteins for muscle maintenance and appetite — suggesting plant-forward diets can work for aging populations without sacrificing health outcomes.
Abstract Preview
The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence to date and several key considerations regarding addressing undernutrition in older adults with plant-based products. Undernutrition...
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