Researchers studied 1,399 older adults living in mountainous areas of northern China to understand how their eating habits affect their health. They found that people who ate a lot of alcohol and meat had higher risks for heart disease and high blood pressure, while those who ate more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products had better health markers. The study shows that what we eat really matters as we get older, especially in high-altitude regions where people face unique health challenges.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different eating patterns affect health risk markers like blood pressure, cholesterol, and liver function in older adults living in mountainous regions of China
  • Who participated: 1,399 people aged 60 and older living in Qiqihar City in northern China’s alpine (mountainous) regions, selected through a careful sampling method to represent the population
  • Key finding: Older adults who frequently ate meat and drank alcohol had significantly higher blood pressure, triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood), and liver enzyme levels compared to those who ate more dairy and eggs. Those eating more fruits and vegetables had better overall health markers.
  • What it means for you: If you’re an older adult, especially living in high-altitude areas, eating more fruits, vegetables, and dairy products while limiting meat and alcohol may help protect your heart and blood pressure. However, this study shows associations, not definite cause-and-effect, so talk to your doctor about your specific diet.

The Research Details

Researchers recruited 1,399 older adults from a mountainous region in northern China and asked them detailed questions about what they typically eat. Using statistical analysis, they identified five different eating patterns that people followed: traditional foods, high-salt and high-fat foods, fruits and vegetables, alcohol and meat, and dairy and eggs. They then compared blood test results and health measurements between people following different eating patterns to see which patterns were linked to better or worse health markers. This approach allowed them to understand real-world eating habits and their connection to disease risk factors without controlling every aspect of people’s diets.

This research method is valuable because it studies how people actually eat in their real lives, rather than forcing them to follow a specific diet in a lab. By looking at natural eating patterns, researchers can identify which combinations of foods are most protective or harmful. This is especially important for older adults in mountainous regions, where food availability and cultural eating traditions may be different from other areas.

The study included a large number of participants (1,399), which makes the findings more reliable. The researchers used a careful sampling method to make sure the group represented the broader population. However, because this is an observational study (watching what people eat rather than assigning them to eat specific diets), we cannot be completely certain that the foods caused the health differences—other factors could be involved. The study was conducted in one specific region of China, so results may not apply equally to all populations.

What the Results Show

The research identified five distinct eating patterns among older adults in this region. The most concerning pattern was the alcohol and meat diet—people following this pattern had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number in a blood pressure reading), higher triglycerides (fatty substances in blood that increase heart disease risk), and elevated liver enzymes (signs of liver stress). Compared to people eating dairy and eggs, the alcohol and meat group showed worse results across multiple health markers. The fruits and vegetables pattern was generally protective, though it showed one unexpected finding of slightly higher liver enzymes. The traditional eating pattern was linked to lower kidney stress markers. Both the high-salt/high-fat pattern and the alcohol/meat pattern were strongly associated with higher odds of high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), while the traditional and alcohol/meat patterns were linked to high blood pressure.

The study also found that factors beyond diet matter significantly: being male, being older, and having obesity all increased the risk of developing chronic diseases. The traditional dietary pattern showed some protective benefits, particularly for kidney health. These findings suggest that diet works together with age, sex, and body weight to influence overall health risk.

These findings align with existing research showing that high alcohol and meat consumption increases heart disease and high blood pressure risk, while fruits and vegetables protect health. The study adds new information by showing how these patterns specifically affect older adults in high-altitude regions, where oxygen levels are lower and the body may respond differently to dietary choices. The emphasis on dairy and eggs as a protective pattern is consistent with research on protein quality and cardiovascular health.

This study observed people’s eating habits at one point in time rather than following them over years, so we cannot be certain the diet caused the health differences. The study was conducted only in one mountainous region of northern China, so results may not apply to older adults in other areas or countries with different food availability and cultural traditions. The researchers relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which can be inaccurate. Additionally, many other lifestyle factors (exercise, sleep, stress) were not measured, and these could influence the results.

The Bottom Line

For older adults, especially those in high-altitude regions: increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and high-quality proteins like dairy and eggs (moderate confidence); reduce consumption of high-salt and high-fat foods (moderate-to-high confidence); limit alcohol and excessive meat intake (moderate-to-high confidence); maintain a healthy body weight; and monitor blood pressure and cholesterol regularly (high confidence). These recommendations should be personalized with your healthcare provider based on your individual health conditions and medications.

This research is most relevant for older adults (60+) living in mountainous or high-altitude regions, particularly in Asia. It’s also valuable for anyone concerned about preventing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and liver health. People with existing heart disease, high blood pressure, or liver conditions should especially discuss these findings with their doctor. The findings may be less directly applicable to younger people or those living at sea level, though the general principles about limiting alcohol and processed foods are widely supported.

Changes in blood pressure and cholesterol typically take 4-12 weeks to show up in blood tests after dietary changes. Weight loss and improved liver function may take 8-16 weeks. However, the protective effects of a healthy diet build over months and years, so consistency matters more than quick results. Most people notice improved energy and how they feel within 2-4 weeks of dietary improvements.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Log daily intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy/eggs, and alcohol servings. Track weekly averages rather than daily perfection. Set a goal like ‘5+ servings of fruits/vegetables daily’ and ‘0-1 alcoholic drinks daily’ and monitor progress weekly.
  • Use the app to plan one meal per week that emphasizes vegetables and dairy/eggs while reducing processed meats. Start by swapping one high-salt/high-fat meal per week with a vegetable-based meal. Track which dietary patterns you follow most often and set gradual reduction goals for high-risk patterns.
  • Record blood pressure and weight monthly (or as recommended by your doctor). Note any changes in energy levels, digestion, or how you feel. Correlate these observations with your dietary pattern logs to see personal patterns. Share monthly summaries with your healthcare provider to adjust recommendations based on your individual response.

This research shows associations between eating patterns and health markers in older adults in a specific region of China, but does not prove that diet directly causes these health changes. Individual responses to dietary changes vary significantly based on genetics, medications, and other lifestyle factors. Before making major dietary changes, especially if you take medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, or liver conditions, consult with your healthcare provider or registered dietitian. This information is educational and should not replace personalized medical advice. If you experience symptoms like chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or unusual liver symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.