According to a study conducted by researchers in Japan, older men who indulge in diets high in meat and fish may gain a boost physically, mentally, and socially. This study of more than 1,000 older adults suggested that men who ate the most meat and fish reduced their odds of mental and physical decline by 39 percent, compared with men who ate the least animal protein.
For the study, a research team led by Megumi Tsubota-Utsugi, from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition in Tokyo, evaluated questionnaires from 1,007 men and women whose average age was 67. The participants were asked to answer questions regarding their diet, including animal protein intake, at the beginning of the study and then in a follow-up conducted seven years later. Additionally, the participants were quizzed on the social and and intellectual aspects of their lives.
At the end of the study, about one-quarter of participants reported declines in thinking and other skills. But men who ate the most meat and fish decreased their risk of mental and physical decline by 39 percent, compared with men who ate the least animal protein, the researchers found.
The researchers reported that there were no significant changes in the women participants of the study.
While the researchers found the results promising, many are speaking out against the study. Many researchers point to the fact that the study only examined the participants at the beginning and at the end of the study. Because no data was collected during the interim, the researchers argue that the study could have missed some points.
Additionally, international researchers have argued that because the study was limited to Japanese people, the results can’t be applied on an international level.
Despite the gripes with the study, many concede that animal protein can be very beneficial to older men. As men tend to grow older, they eat less meat, which denies the body protein, affecting muscle mass and general body wellness. This isn’t to say anyone over the age of 70 should run out for a burger, but incorporating more meat and fish into an already healthy diet would be advisable.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.