# Sex Differences in Associations Between Diet and Metabolic Health in Older Adults: The Roles of Vegetable Protein and Alcohol Intake

## TL;DR

This study explores how diet affects metabolic health differently in older men and women, finding that vegetable protein and alcohol intake are key factors.

## Contribution

The study reveals sex-specific dietary associations with metabolic health in older adults, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary guidance.

## Key findings

- In men, higher vegetable protein and whole grain intake is linked to better insulin sensitivity.
- In women, alcohol consumption is strongly associated with improved insulin sensitivity.
- FSA modeling highlights whole grains, nuts, and seeds for men and alcohol for women as key predictors of insulin sensitivity.

## Abstract

Background/Objective: Aging is associated with a decline in metabolic health, including impaired glucose regulation. Both diet and biological sex impact metabolic health, yet sexual heterogeneity in diet response is understudied. We report on exploratory analyses of sex-specific associations between diet and insulin sensitivity, insulin resistance, and android and intermuscular fat composition in older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis uses baseline data from a previously completed clinical trial (n = 96), the MASTERS study. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to calculate insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity as measures of metabolic function, while dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and computed tomography were used to assess body composition. Univariate analyses were used to identify sex-specific associations between metabolic health and single nutrients, as well as other dietary components. Feasible solutions algorithm (FSA) modeling was employed to identify food groups that were most associated with insulin sensitivity. Results: In men, greater intakes of vegetable protein (p < 0.0001) and whole grains (p = 0.001) were associated with higher insulin sensitivity, while refined grains (p = 0.003) and conjugated linoleic acids (p < 0.001) were negatively associated. In women, insulin sensitivity was positively associated with alcohol (p < 0.001) and xylitol (p = 0.007). FSA modeling identified whole grains, nuts, and seeds as food groups that predicted higher insulin sensitivity in men, while alcohol remained the strongest predictor in women. Conclusions: Men showed higher insulin sensitivity with plant-based diets, while alcohol intake was the dietary factor most associated with insulin sensitivity in women. The findings of these exploratory analyses support the need for sex-specific clinical trials and dietary guidance for aging populations.