Carb-rich foods like beans<\/a>, berries, greens, and oats could play a key role in longevity, researchers said.<\/p>\n Swapping in these quality carbs instead of ultra-processed foods<\/a> like French fries and donuts could improve your health not just in the short-term, but for decades to come.<\/p>\n There may even be a benefit to eating the right kind of carbs instead of extra protein<\/a>, the study suggests.<\/p>\n “We’ve all heard that different carbohydrates can affect health differently, whether for weight, energy, or blood sugar levels,” Andres Ardisson Korat<\/a>, the lead author of the study and a researcher from Tufts University, said in a press release.<\/p>\n “But rather than just look at the immediate effects of these macronutrients, we wanted to understand what they might mean for good health 30 years later.”<\/p>\n What does it mean to age gracefully?<\/strong><\/p>\n The researchers looked at data from female nurses starting in their 40s and 50s, over threes decades of follow-up to compare participants’ eating habits to how their health changed over time.<\/p>\n They looked at who experienced memory problems, or developed illnesses like type 2 diabetes by age 70, but also assessed whether participants stayed physically able and mentally sharp. Their definition of healthy aging<\/a> included being able keep up with everyday tasks like walking, housework, and carrying groceries, but also do a moderate amount of vigorous exercise<\/a> like running, lifting weights, or doing sports.<\/p>\n About a third of the women in the study managed to avoid chronic illness by age 70, and about half retained good memory, but only around 15% were considered free from physical limitations.<\/p>\n The most elite group of women did all of the above, the 8% of total participants who met the definition of healthy aging.<\/p>\n Related stories<\/p>\n Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know<\/p>\n Business Insider tells the innovative stories you want to know<\/p>\n Carbs v. protein for longevity<\/p>\n The researchers found that, for living longer, more protein isn’t necessarily better<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eating 5% more protein instead of carbs lowered the odds of healthy aging in the study. <\/strong>Extra carbs may actually be more important, the researchers observed.<\/p>\n Swapping in 5% more carbs instead of saturated fat or animal protein could make you more likely to age healthfully, the data model suggested.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/placeholder.png\")
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