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 | — | — |
1
Circles 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.