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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. A sustainable diet also helps us age well, UAM study reveals A sustainable diet also helps us age well, UAM study reveals ============================================================== CIVIS Highlights 13 October 2025 An international study led by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid demonstrates that following the *Planetary Health Diet* is associated with improved physical and mental performance in adulthood. The results have been published in the journal [*"Age and Ageing"*](https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article-abstract/54/6/afaf175/8178286?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false). ![](/storage/files/jan-landau-a39qv-6-nxs-unsplash.jpg) Photo: Jan Landau / Unsplash The *Planetary Health Diet* promotes a diet centred on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while reducing consumption of animal-based foods (such as meat), restricting dairy products to one serving a day, and limiting added sugars. This approach not only helps protect the environment, but may also promote healthier aging. A study led by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid — with the participation of researchers from CIBERESP, IMDEA Nutrition, the National Center for Epidemiology, and Harvard University — has analyzed for the first time the extent to which adherence to this dietary pattern is related to the functional capacity of older adults. The researchers used data from two Spanish population cohorts, which included nearly 3,000 adults aged 60 and older. Based on each participant's dietary habits, an index of adherence to the Planetary Health Diet was calculated, and their intrinsic capacity was assessed. This is a WHO concept that integrates a person's physical and mental functions in six areas: cognition, psychological state, vitality, hearing, vision, and locomotion. > *During a mean follow-up of 2.6 years, 32% of participants' intrinsic capacity worsened, 27% improved, and 40% remained stable,”* said Mercedes Sotos Prieto, director of the study and researcher at the UAM. Improvements in intrinsic capacity ---------------------------------- When comparing different levels of adherence, those in the group with the highest dietary pattern score were 36% more likely to see their intrinsic ability improve versus worsen, compared to those who adhered to the diet the least. The benefit was especially notable in hearing. The analysis also showed that higher nut consumption and moderate consumption of starchy vegetables (such as potatoes) were independently associated with improved intrinsic capacity outcomes. The results, published in the journal Age and Ageing, suggest that not only the overall dietary pattern, but also specific food groups, can contribute to maintaining autonomy, mobility, and mental health in old age. This is one of the first studies to examine the relationship between the Planetary Health Diet and healthy aging in a comprehensive manner. *"Our results support the idea that a more plant-based diet not only benefits the planet, but also the quality of life of older adults,"* concludes Mercedes Gómez Cao, the first author of the paper and a researcher at the UAM. **Read more in the [original story, in Spanish](https://www.uam.es/uam/en/investigacion/cultura-cientifica/noticias/envejecimiento-dietasaludable).** ### Latest Highlights: [*From the frontlines to the classroom: War correspondent joins UB faculty to teach new course*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/from-the-frontlines-to-the-classroom-war-correspondent-joins-ub-faculty-to-teach-new-course) *[Two new European Research Council Starting Grants in Plant research and Medicine for the University of Tübingen](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/two-new-european-research-council-starting-grants-in-plant-research-and-medicine-for-the-university-of-tubingen)* [*UAM opens doors to science for teens at First International Youth Campus*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/uam-opens-doors-science-for-teens-first-international-youth-campus) [*Upgraded solar telescope brings scientists closer to predicting solar flares*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/upgraded-solar-telescope-brings-scientists-closer-to-predicting-solar-flares) [*NKUA opens branch campus in Cyprus, marking a new era in Hellenic academic cooperation*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/nkua-opens-branch-campus-in-cyprus-new-era-hellenic-academic-cooperation) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/civis-coms-unit-details-12-800x600.jpg?token=18a67eed00f6009b77efc52af67e6ed2)Doctoral Webinar Challenges of Digital and Technological Transformations is back Hub 5 Digital and Technological transformation 23 January 2026 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/doctoral-webinar-challenges-of-digital-and-technological-transformations-is-back) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/highlight-december-2025-800x600.jpg?token=be0bc5540fabebf1c1480a34cb0f2ddd)"The ideal city is dense and compact", thinks Lord Norman Foster, recently awarded an honorary doctorate by the UAM CIVIS Highlights 19 December 2025 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/the-ideal-city-is-dense-and-compact-thinks-lord-norman-foster-recently-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-by-the-uam) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/highlight-november-2025_1-800x600.jpg?token=299679c347956f18846a684daacfe412)Cross-cutting skills are key for today's learners, UAM-backed study says CIVIS Highlights 17 November 2025 ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/cross-cutting-skills-are-key-for-today-s-learners-uam-backed-study-says) [Discover all our stories](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) [ Glacier Kebnekaise's southern peak continues to melt ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/glacier-kebnekaise-s-southern-peak-continues-to-melt >) [ My CIVIS Journey: A story of growth, challenges and collective vision ](< https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/my-civis-journey-a-story-of-growth-challenges-and-collective-vision >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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