The pesco-vegetarian diet is a diet that includes seafood as the sole source of meat in an otherwise vegetarian diet. The intake of other animal products such as eggs and dairy is optional in this diet. A recent study has revealed the link between diet and longevity, especially in older adults, further unlocking the amazing potential of a pesco-vegetarian diet.

The study was led by Grace P. Abris and Gary E. Fraser of Loma Linda University and followed 88,400 Seventh-day Adventists in North America for an average period of 11 years. This population is known for its interesting dietary habits, which provided the perfect background for conducting the study.

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Nutrition and risk of death

The study also found that vegetarians had a lower risk of death than non-vegetarians. At age 65, vegetarians had an 11 percent lower risk of death. However, when researchers looked more closely at the population’s eating habits, they found that pesco-vegetarians showed more promising results. People who included fish in their otherwise vegetarian diets had a 10 percent lower risk of death at age 85 than non-vegetarians.

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Benefits of including fish in your diet

Fish are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins and other important nutrients. The findings help to understand the benefits of including fish in the diet and how it can benefit the older population.

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Strict vegetarians showed a higher risk of death

The study found that strict vegetarians had a higher risk of dying from neurological diseases such as stroke and dementia as they aged. However, this trend was not observed in the older population who followed a pesco-vegetarian diet. This further demonstrated to the researchers that including fish in an otherwise vegetarian diet can help mitigate potential long-term health risks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.