TABLE 6
Schematic representation of the influence of diet on telomere length in adults1
Dietary exposure factors Cross-sectional studies Case-control studies RCTs Macronutrients Dietary fiber O O — — Dietary fats / X / X — PUFA X / // O Proteins // — — Carbohydrates / — — Alcohol X X — Micronutrients Vitamin D / / O / O Vitamin C O O O / — — Vitamin E O O // / — Vitamin A O / — — β-carotene O / — Niacin / — — Folate / — — Iron / — — Zinc / — / Dietary copper intake O — / Food groups Fruit O O ///////// O O // — Vegetables O O O //////// O O // — Whole and refined grains O O O //////// X — / Meat O O O //// X X X X X / — Fish or seafood O O /////// X / — Fried food / X X Seeds or Nuts O O O //// X — O Legumes O O /// — / Sweetened beverages /// X X X — — Coffee O O /// — O Animal fats // X X X — — Vegetable oils / — O Milk and dairy products O O ///// X / — Dietary patterns a priori Mediterranean diet O O O O /// — / Alternate Healthy Eating Index O / — — Dietary Inflammatory Index X X // — — Baltic Sea Diet Score / — — Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension O — — 1Circles indicate a protective effect on telomere length, the slash a neutral effect, and the cross a potential risk factor for telomere length. RCT, randomized clinical trial.