A major UK study has proved that adopting different diets for men and women can increase lifespan. According to this research based on more than 1 lakh people, fiber is the biggest protective element of our body. Whereas sugary drinks increase the risk of death. If we try to understand this research from the Indian perspective, then it becomes very important, because pulses, vegetables and whole grains are already present in our traditional plate, which matches with these diets. But the trend of junk food and fast food has disturbed this balance in our plate.
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This study has been presented at the American Association for Advancement of Science meeting in Phoenix. In the UK Biobank study of 103,649 participants that lasted 10.6 years, 4,314 deaths were recorded. In view of these deaths, five major diet patterns have emerged. These include Alternate Healthy Eating Index, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, Plant-Based Diet, DASH and Diabetes Risk Reduction Diet. All reduced the risk of death by 18-24%, but when it came to the benefits, they appeared different on the basis of gender. ​

Best diet for women
Alternate Mediterranean diet proved to be most beneficial for women aged 45 years, which can increase your life by 2.3 years. This includes vegetables, fruits, pulses (like our lentils or chana dal), olive oil, nuts and fish. In India, it is similar to South Indian food or Gujarati thali, where healthy fats and plant foods are prominent.

Special formula for men
Whereas men got the most benefit from the diabetes risk reduction diet. Such a diet can increase their lifespan by 3 years. There is an emphasis on oats, cereal fiber from whole wheat, coffee, nuts and low-glycemic foods like porridge or brown rice. It is easy for Indian men, because instead of rice and bread, whole grains and tea and coffee are already a part of the diet.
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Wonder of fiber, danger of sugar
Of all the elements, fiber provided the strongest protection. Every 10 gram increase reduces the risk of death by 10%. At the same time, sugar sweetened beverages increased the risk the most. In India, where diabetes is spreading rapidly (more than 10 crore cases according to NCD survey), it is important to adopt fiber rich bread and vegetables. Men at genetic risk got additional benefit from the diabetes diet.

Some general diet advice has been given for both men and women. Like increase whole foods, plant-based foods, reduce processed meats, refined grains and added sugar. Talking about Mediterranean diet, olive oil and insulin sensitive foods are essential in diabetes diet. Even if these dietary changes are adopted from the age of 45, an increase of 1.5-3 years in age is still possible.