A common dietary habit can decrease the longevity of adults aged 80 and older.
When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled a new inverted food pyramid in January 2026, ground beef, steak, chicken and fish were placed at the very top, ending what the department called the war on protein. “Every meal should prioritize high-quality, nutrient-dense proteins from animal and plant sources, combined with healthy fats from whole foods such as eggs, seafood, meats, full-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, olives, and avocados,” the guidelines state.
Now, a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that eating meat can have a huge impact on whether or not people reach their 100th birthday. Researchers who followed more than 5,000 Chinese adults aged 80 or older participating in the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey from 1998 to 2018 noticed that those who abstained from eating meat were less likely to reach 100 than those who did so.
“The headline ‘Vegetarians over 80 are less likely to reach 100’ seems surprising because it contrasts with decades of data linking plant-based diets to a reduced risk of chronic diseases earlier in life,” said registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade. Fox News Digital. “However, once we see that this research is limited to adults over 80 who are also underweight – and that this link disappears with the consumption of eggs, dairy and fish – the results are less surprising.”
Non-meat eaters who included fish, dairy, or eggs in their diet (crucial for muscle and bone health thanks to a host of important nutrients) did not have the same reduced likelihood of reaching 100. This is in line with new government health guidelines which strongly encourage the consumption of fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, which are an excellent source of protein and rich in omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients help lower triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and prevent plaque buildup in the arteries, explains the Mayo Clinic.
This is not to say that plants and vegetables do not offer benefits, but that it is better to have a varied diet, without eliminating any major food group (as in the case of strict veganism).
“For adults 80 and older, especially those losing weight or muscle, the priority should be maintaining a healthy weight and meeting their protein and micronutrient needs, even if that means adding or increasing fish, eggs, dairy or fortified, well-planned protein and plant supplements,” Palinski-Wade said.
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