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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #164714
Title: THE COMBINATION OF HIGH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE AND LOW SATURATED FAT INTAKES IS MORE PROTECTIVE AGAINST MORTALITY IN AGING MEN, THAN IS EITHER ALONE: THE BALTIMORE LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AGING

Author
item TUCKER, KATHERINE - TUFTS-HNRCA
item HALLFRISCH, JUDITH - USDA-HNRC BELTSVILLE
item QIAO, NING - TUFTS-HNRCA
item MULLER, DENIS - NATL INSTITUTE ON AGING
item ANDRES, REUBIN - NATL INSTITUTE ON AGING
item FLEG, JEROME - NATL INSTITUTE ON AGING

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/30/2004
Publication Date: 3/1/2005
Citation: Tucker, K.L., Hallfrisch, J., Qiao, N., Muller, D., Andres, R., Fleg, J.L. 2005. The combination of high fruit and vegetable and low saturated fat intakes is more protective against mortality in aging men, than is either alone: the baltimore longitudinal study of aging. Journal of Nutrition. 135(3):556-561.

Interpretive Summary: Saturated fat (SF) intake is known to contribute to risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Recently, the protective effects of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake on both CHD and all-cause mortality have been documented. However, individuals consuming more FV may be displacing higher fat foods. Therefore, we investigated the individual and combined effects of FV and SF consumption on total and CHD mortality among 501 initially healthy men in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Seven-day diet records were taken at 1-7 visits over a mean 18 y follow-up. Cause of death was ascertained from death certificates, hospital records and autopsy data. Men consuming the high FV and low SF were 31% less likely to die of any cause and 76% less likely to die from CHD, relative to those consuming low FV and high SF. Men consuming either low SF or high FV, but not both, did not have significantly lower risk of total mortality; but did have 64-67% lower risk of CHD mortality relative to those doing neither. These results confirm the protective effects of low SF and high FV intake against CHD mortality and further show that the combination of both behaviors is more protective than either alone.

Technical Abstract: Saturated fat (SF) intake is known to contribute to risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. Recently, the protective effects of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake on both CHD and all-cause mortality have been documented. However, individuals consuming more FV may be displacing higher fat foods. Therefore, we investigated the individual and combined effects of FV and SF consumption on total and CHD mortality among 501 initially healthy men in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA). Seven-day diet records were taken at 1-7 visits over a mean 18 y follow-up. Cause of death was ascertained from death certificates, hospital records and autopsy data. After adjustment for age, total energy intake, BMI, smoking, alcohol use, dietary supplements, and physical activity score, FV and SF intakes were individually associated with lower all-cause and CHD mortality (P<0.05). When both FV and SF were included in the same model, associations of each were attenuated with CHD mortality, and no longer significant for all-cause mortality. Men consuming the combination of >/=5 servings of FV/d and 12% SF. Men consuming either low SF or high FV, but not both, did not have significantly lower risk of total mortality; but did have 64-67% lower risk of CHD mortality (P<0.05) relative to those doing neither. These results confirm the protective effects of low SF and high FV intake against CHD mortality. In addition, they extend these findings by demonstrating that the combination of both behaviors is more protective than either alone, suggesting that their beneficial effects are mediated by different mechanisms.