A recent study suggests that targeted nutritional interventions may help older adults maintain strength, health, and resilience as they age. Published in the Journal of Ageing and Longevity, the double-blind controlled trial found that older men who consumed a combination of plant-derived phytochemicals and selected probiotic strains experienced improved muscle strength, reduced inflammation, and increased testosterone levels — all key markers of healthy ageing.

The strongest benefits were observed among participants who received both interventions together, highlighting the important connection between nutrition and gut health.

The study, conducted by researchers from Bedford Hospital, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of California, and Edith Cowan University, followed 208 men with an average age of 74 over four months. Participants received a daily plant-based supplement containing concentrated compounds from broccoli, green tea, pomegranate, ginger, cranberries, and turmeric, along with either a probiotic supplement containing beneficial Lactobacillus strains, prebiotics, and vitamin D or a placebo.

By the end of the trial, grip strength — a recognised indicator of overall health and longevity — had improved by nearly 8%. Participants receiving both the plant-based supplement and probiotics achieved even greater gains, while also showing significantly lower levels of systemic inflammation and testosterone levels that were approximately 12% higher on average.

Professor Robert Thomas of the University of Bedfordshire and Cambridge University Hospitals noted that biological ageing is influenced not only by the number of years lived but also by how effectively the body functions over time. He emphasized that factors such as chronic inflammation, declining muscle strength, and hormonal changes can be modified through lifestyle choices.

Researchers believe these findings provide encouraging early evidence that combining targeted nutrition with gut health support could help slow certain physical and biological effects of ageing. Although longer-term studies are needed, the results suggest that simple dietary strategies may play an important role in promoting healthier ageing and improving quality of life in later years.

Source: https://www.beds.ac.uk/news/2026/july/breakthrough-study-shows-gut-health-and-plant-based-nutrition-influences-key-markers-of-longevity/