持續轉向更健康的飲食後,預期壽命可以延長十年

2025-08-25

於《Nature Food》的最新研究,引發英國乃至全球公共健康領域的高度關注。研究由挪威卑爾根大學的Lars T. Fadnes教授、格拉斯哥大學的Carlos Celis-Morales教授及多位學者合作完成,題為《Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom.》(在英國持續轉向更健康的飲食後,預期壽命可以延長長達十年)。這項研究以大量的數據建模與追蹤分析為基礎,試圖量化「飲食習慣」與「壽命」之間的關鍵關聯,並以嚴謹的實證證據向大眾揭示食物選擇對健康帶來的深遠影響。

研究結果顯示,如果中年人能夠在長期生活中持續調整飲食結構,例如減少加工肉品、紅肉與高糖飲料的攝取,並增加全穀物、堅果、水果、蔬菜與豆類的比例,平均壽命可以延長高達十年之久。這樣的壽命延長幅度,在營養與流行病學的研究領域中,屬於極為顯著的發現。特別是「含糖飲料」被研究團隊明確標記為最具危害性的食物之一,數據顯示它與死亡率存在強烈的正相關。換言之,經常飲用含糖飲料不僅會增加肥胖、糖尿病與心血管疾病的風險,更可能直接縮短壽命。

研究同時指出,改善飲食並非僅僅對中年人有效,即使在老年階段開始調整飲食,也仍然能帶來可觀的健康效益與壽命延長。這意味著「永遠不嫌太晚」,只要做出持續性的飲食改善,個體的健康軌跡就能出現正向轉變。

在社會與政策層面上,這份研究引發對公共健康策略的再思考。專家強調,若政府能推廣健康飲食教育,並透過政策手段減少不健康食品的消費,將可能在國家整體醫療開支與平均壽命上帶來巨大的效益。這不僅僅是個人選擇的問題,更與社會如何提供「可負擔、可取得的健康食物」息息相關。

整體來看,這項發表於《Nature Food》的研究強調日常飲食對壽命的直接影響,尤其是警示加工肉類與含糖飲料的風險,並凸顯出全穀物、堅果等天然食材的保護作用。它為現代社會長壽與健康的議題提供實證性的解答,也再一次提醒大眾:真正的長壽秘訣,不在於昂貴的保健品或極端的療法,而是在於每天餐桌上的選擇。

This recently published study in Nature Food has sparked wide attention in the United Kingdom and around the world. The paper, titled “Life expectancy can increase by up to 10 years following sustained shifts towards healthier diets in the United Kingdom”, was authored by Professor Lars T. Fadnes of the University of Bergen, Professor Carlos Celis-Morales of the University of Glasgow, and several other scholars. Based on extensive data modeling and longitudinal analysis, the study sought to quantify the relationship between dietary habits and life expectancy, offering rigorous empirical evidence to demonstrate the profound impact of food choices on human health.

The findings reveal that middle-aged individuals who make long-term changes to their diet—such as reducing consumption of processed meats, red meats, and sugary drinks while increasing intake of whole grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and legumes—can extend their life expectancy by as much as ten years. This degree of life extension is highly significant within the fields of nutrition and epidemiology. Particularly noteworthy is that sugary beverages were identified by the research team as one of the most harmful dietary factors, showing a strong positive correlation with mortality. In other words, regular consumption of sugary drinks not only raises the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, but may also directly shorten lifespan.

The study also points out that dietary improvements are not limited in benefit to middle age; even older adults who adjust their eating habits later in life can still gain meaningful health advantages and life extension. This underscores the message that it is “never too late” to change—sustained dietary improvements can positively alter an individual’s health trajectory at any stage of life.

 

On a societal and policy level, the study has prompted renewed reflection on public health strategies. Experts emphasize that if governments promote nutritional education and use policy measures to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods, the overall impact could be transformative, leading to significant improvements in both national healthcare expenditures and population life expectancy. Thus, the matter extends beyond individual choice to how society ensures the availability and affordability of healthy foods.

Overall, this Nature Food publication highlights the direct influence of everyday diet on life expectancy, warning of the risks of processed meats and sugary drinks while underscoring the protective effects of natural foods such as whole grains and nuts. It provides an evidence-based answer to the question of longevity in modern societies and serves as a reminder that the true secret to living longer does not lie in expensive supplements or extreme therapies, but in the simple, consistent choices we make at the dining table every day.