Nutrition and Age: Why Diets Affect Men and Women Differently

Scientists have discovered significant differences between men and women in how diet influences metabolism with age: in men, better insulin sensitivity is linked to plant-based proteins and whole grains, while in women, moderate wine consumption appears to have a beneficial effect.

As metabolism slows down with age, an inappropriate diet can exacerbate this effect. Sex plays an important role in how metabolic health declines over time. The latest study, published in the journal Nutrients, analyzed diet and metabolic indicators in older adults of both sexes.

With aging, blood sugar control worsens, and the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes increases. The term inflammaging—chronic inflammation associated with aging—has become a key factor affecting metabolism.

In premenopausal women, the liver processes lipids more efficiently than in men of the same age, but little is known about these differences in older adults.

The study involved 96 healthy elderly participants (median age 69). They kept detailed food diaries, underwent body composition measurements, glucose tolerance tests, and other assessments.

Researchers used statistical models adjusted for body mass index and physical activity levels.

They identified sex-specific associations between diet and insulin sensitivity. In men, higher consumption of plant-based protein, whole grains, inositol, and vitamin E was linked to better insulin sensitivity, while trans fats and refined grains worsened it. In women, moderate wine consumption or intake of xylitol (a sugar substitute) correlated with better insulin sensitivity, although this link lost significance after statistical adjustment.

The researchers emphasize that these findings are preliminary and may not apply to individuals of different ethnic backgrounds or health statuses. They stress the need for further research to determine which dietary patterns are most beneficial for older adults—and for whom.