Fruits and Vegetables Boost Longevity in Women

According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, women in their 70s may be able to extend their lives by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diets. Measuring the carotenoid levels of women between the ages of 70 and 79 over a period of five years, researchers found that those with the highest fruit-and-vegetable intake were 46 percent less likely to die than women who ate the least amount—a phenomenon magnified when combined with regular exercise. Lead study author Emily Nicklett says the findings point to the importance of encouraging healthy lifestyle choices for senior women. “That can mean looking into whether there are enough safe places for these women to walk, or whether or not they have access to fresh fruits,” she says.