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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/184958
Animal protein intake is inversely associated with mortality in older adults: the InCHIANTI study
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Abstract Background In general, plant protein intake was inversely associated with mortality in studies in middle-aged adults. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term associations of animal and plant protein intake with mortality in older adults. Methods A prospective cohort study including 1 139 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 75 years, 56% women) living in Tuscany, Italy, followed for 20 years (InCHIANTI study) was analyzed. Dietary intake by food frequency questionnaires and clinical information were assessed 5 times during the follow-up. Protein intakes were expressed as percentages of total energy. Time-dependent Cox regression models adjusted for confounders were used to assess the association between plant and animal protein intake, and mortality. Results During the 20 years of follow-up (mean: 12 years), 811 deaths occurred (292 of cardiovascular- and 151 of cancer-related causes). Animal protein intake was inversely associated with all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 0.93-0.99) and cardiovascular mortality (HR per 1% of total energy from protein increase, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.87-0.98). Plant protein intake showed no association with any of the mortality outcomes, but an interaction with baseline hypertension was found for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (p < .05). Conclusions Animal protein was inversely associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Further studies are needed to provide recommendations on dietary protein intake for older adults.
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MEROÑO, Tomás, et al. Animal protein intake is inversely associated with mortality in older adults: the InCHIANTI study. Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biomedical Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2021. ISSN 1079-5006. [consulted: 18 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/184958