The 1 Food You Should Eat More Of As You Age

It's a "high-quality fatty protein" that can support brain health and reduce inflammation.

Every decade of our lives feels a little different. Many of us are familiar with having boundless energy in our 20s even after four hours of sleep and a few margaritas, and needing a lot more sleep (and fewer alcoholic beverages) in our 30s. Starting from the moment we’re born, our bodies and nutritional needs are changing — which is why it makes sense that we need more and less of certain foods as we get older.

Certain foods can be helpful for energy levels as we age, explained Kimberly Gomer, a registered dietitian and former director of nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center. But food can also be key in disease prevention. “The major factor in all illness, be it heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity or dementia, can have its roots in inflammation,” she said. “How that inflammation reacts in our body seems to intensify as we age, creating disease and distress. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, along with eliminating anti-inflammatory foods, is key to maintaining amazing physical and mental health as we age.

The 1 food you should eat more of as you age

If you’re looking for one specific food that can move the needle health-wise, the experts we spoke with suggested opting for high-quality fatty protein, namely salmon. “Fatty fish, such as salmon, are rich in EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid),” which are long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, explained Dr. Kevin Cooke, a board-certified primary care physician who specializes in longevity medicine and brain performance. “Older adults should aim to include these in their diet at least twice a week to boost omega-3 intake, which supports brain health and reduces inflammation.”

Gomer added that we need protein for muscle maintenance and strength, and healthy fat for hormones and fat-soluble vitamins. “As we age, we naturally will lose muscle — if we don’t use it, we lose it,” she said. “And as we age, many things can happen in our lives where we become less active and less motivated to build and maintain muscle. All of our cells, including our brain cells, need healthy fats to function. When we don’t provide them, we can get into trouble physically and cognitively.”