Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Telomere Length in a Random Sample of 5448 U.S. Adults

Abstract

The relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and telomere length was examined using a cross-sectional design and an NHANES random sample of 5448 U.S. adults. Fruit and vegetable (F&V) consumption was assessed using a 24 h recall, and telomere length, an index of cellular aging, was measured using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Telomere length was linearly related to F&V intake when combined (F = 22.7, p < 0.0001) and also when separated as fruit (F = 7.2, p < 0.0121) or vegetables (F = 15.4, p < 0.0005), after adjusting for covariates. Specifically, telomeres were 27.8 base pairs longer for each 100 g (3.5 ounces) of F&V consumed. Because each additional year of chronological age was associated with telomeres that were 14.9 base pairs shorter, when women and men were analyzed together, results indicated that a 100 g (3.5 oz) per day increment in F&V corresponded with 1.9 years less biological aging. When the 75th percentile of F&V intake was compared to the 25th, the difference was 4.4 years of cellular aging. When separated by sex, fruits and vegetables were both related to telomere length in women, but only vegetable intake was predictive of telomere length in men. In conclusion, evidence based on a random sample of U.S. adults indicates that the more the servings of F&V, the longer telomeres tend to be.

The Impact of Foods, Nutrients, or Dietary Patterns on Telomere Length in Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review

“…The association between a higher fruit and vegetable intake and a longer TL in Iranian children aged 5–7 years [ 29 ] and Brazilian adolescents aged 10–17 years [ 30 ] has been supported by some studies conducted in adults [ 42 , 43 , 46 , 56 , 57 ]. On the contrary, the lack of association disclosed by other studies [ 37 , 38 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 58 , 59 , 60 ] makes it difficult to determine whether the intake of fruits and vegetables may be beneficial for the stability of TL.…”

“…On the contrary, the lack of association disclosed by other studies [ 37 , 38 , 41 , 44 , 45 , 48 , 58 , 59 , 60 ] makes it difficult to determine whether the intake of fruits and vegetables may be beneficial for the stability of TL. Fruit and vegetable intake can supposedly maintain telomeres and limit cell ageing by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress [ 57 ]. However, as recognised in previous research, a probable reason for explaining the lack of consistency in the results among studies may be attributed to the different methods used to classify fruits and vegetables as specific foods, groups of foods, and/or eating patterns.…”

Diets with Higher Vegetable Intake and Lower Environmental Impact: Evidence from a Large Australian Population Health Survey

“…Higher levels of fruit and vegetable intake may also help to address problems of overweight and obesity [ 12 , 13 ]. The potential benefits of higher fruit and vegetable consumption are diverse, including reduced incidence of headaches [ 14 ], maintenance of telomere length [ 15 ], and improved mental health [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Higher fruit and vegetable intake has also been associated with a range of other healthy lifestyle factors, including higher rates of exercise and not smoking [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Nutrition, Diet and Healthy Aging

“…The most marked message that emerges from this collection is the correlation between the frailty index and dietary diversity. Studies from different countries with very diverse nutritional habits show that aged individuals with a good diet variety score present a better frailty index [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Evidently, due to the diverse geographical origin of the data, it is difficult to infer what the best diet to avoid or to postpone the occurrence of frailty is.…”

“…Although we are far from identifying an ideal diet for a healthy aging, it can be summarized that adherence to Mediterranean diet for Europeans [ 5 ], the use of a balanced diet rich in vegetables in U.S. [ 3 ], and the general balanced equilibrium of vegetables, oil, fish, and meat in the diet seems to have a major role in maintaining a lower frailty index and in the prevention of the non-communicable diseases.…”