Fewer calories may lead to longer life

Consuming fewer calories can lead to a longer, healthier life, according to scientists studying the effect of diet on ageing in monkeys. During the 20-year study on a group of rhesus monkeys, they found that those on normal diets were three times more likely to develop an age-related disease such as cancer, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease than those on restricted diets. Previous studies have shown ageing can be slowed in mammals by a calorie-restricted diet or exercise, but the primate study is likely to provide better insight into the potential effects on human beings. The scientists also found evidence that the brain health of animals on a restricted diet was better, particularly the regions associated with motor skills, memory and problem-solving. Richard Weindruch, a professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin-Madison school of medicine and public health, said: "We have been able to show that calorific restriction...

Read the whole article on The Guardian - Science

More from The Guardian - Science

Related