Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dietary habits play a pivotal role in promoting successful aging ( SA), representing a key modifiable factor that can influence the trajectory of aging. Despite growing interest in the impact of diet on SA, evidence linking common dietary components to SA among Chinese older adults remains limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations between SA and six commonly consumed food items in Chinese diets: fruits, vegetables, garlic, nuts, mushrooms, and tea. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey data, adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, and socioeconomic status. From an initial pool of 15,874 individuals surveyed, 8,342 participants (46.2% males and 53.8% females) aged ≥ 60 years were included in final analysis after applying predefined inclusion criteria. Dietary assessment focused on six key food items: fruits, vegetables, garlic, nuts, mushrooms, and tea. Consumption frequency was classified into three distinct categories: (1) seldom or never (reference group), (2) sometimes (intermediate consumption), and (3) usually (regular consumption). SA in this study was defined across five dimensions: self-rated health, psychological status, cognitive function, physical functioning, and activities of daily living. Logistic regression models were employed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between food consumption frequency and SA. Subgroup analyses were conducted by sex and age to explore potential differences in these associations. RESULTS: Frequent consumption of vegetables (OR = 1.91; 95% CI: 1.35-2.71), fruits (OR = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.13-1.49), nuts (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.09-1.46), and garlic (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.13-1.48) was significantly associated with higher odds of SA. No significant associations were observed for mushrooms (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 0.94-1.27) and tea consumption shows a borderline significant association (OR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.00-1.28). Stratified analyses revealed some sex- and age-specific variations in these associations. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent consumption of specific diets, including fruits, vegetables, garlic, and nuts, is significantly associated with better aging outcomes among Chinese older adults. Promoting healthy dietary habits may play a crucial role in supporting SA in rapidly aging populations. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these associations.