If you eat this, you have a higher chance of living to 100, but with important warnings

A recent study analyzing more than 5,000 Chinese adults aged 80 and older found that those who consume meat have a higher likelihood of reaching 100 compared with those who follow meat-free diets. The research draws on data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, a long-term project that has tracked the health and lifestyle habits of older adults since 1998.

At first glance, these findings seem to contradict decades of research linking plant-based diets to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. However, the study’s authors emphasize that advanced age introduces nutritional factors that differ from those relevant earlier in life.

The key is not just meat, but nutritional status

The analysis reveals an important nuance. The lower probability of reaching 100 among people who did not eat meat was observed only in participants who were underweight. Among older adults with a healthy weight, no significant differences were found between meat eaters and non-meat eaters. This suggests that nutritional status and frailty play a central role in longevity.

In addition, the negative effect did not appear in people who avoided meat but included fish, eggs, or dairy in their diets. These foods provide essential nutrients such as high-quality protein, vitamin B12, calcium, and vitamin D, all of which are critical for maintaining muscle mass and bone health in later life. Their chances of reaching 100 were comparable to those of people who consumed meat.

The researchers note that this is an observational study and therefore does not establish cause-and-effect relationships. The main takeaway is not that one diet is universally better than another, but that nutritional needs change with age.

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