> Epidemiology. 2000 Jul;11(4):440-5.

> Diet and overall survival in a cohort of very elderly people.
> Fortes C, Forastiere F, Farchi S, Rapiti E, Pastori G, Perucci CA.

> Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Authority, Rome,
> Italy.

> We conducted a 5-year cohort study among 162 self-sufficient residents
> in a public home for the elderly in Rome, Italy, to evaluate the
> association between the consumption of specific food groups and
> nutrients and overall 5-year survival. We used a validated,
> semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire to assess diet at
> baseline. Individuals consuming citrus fruit at least twice a week had
> an adjusted risk of dying that was half that of individuals who
> consumed citrus fruit less than once a week [relative risk (RR) =
> 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28-0.95] (with adjustment for
> gender, age, education, body mass index, smoking status, cognitive
> function, and chronic diseases). The adjusted RRs of mortality were
> 0.38 (95% CI = 0.14-1.01) for consumption of milk and yogurt at least
> three times a week vs less than once a week; 0.21 (95% CI = 0.08-0.35)
> for moderate consumption of espresso coffee (1-2 cups weekly) vs less
> than once a week; and 0.35 (95% CI = 0.17-0.69) for > 2 cups a week of
> espresso coffee vs less than once a week. High levels of intake of
> ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and linoleic acid

> were associated with
> 50-60% decreases in mortality risk. High consumption of meat was
> associated with a higher risk of mortality (RR = 9.72; 95% CI =
> 2.68-35.1) among subjects with chronic diseases. Our findings indicate
> that frequent consumption of citrus fruit, milk, and yogurt; low
> consumption of meat; and high intake of vitamin C, riboflavin, and
> linoleic acid are associated with longevity.

> PMID: 10874552 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE