Charles Perkins Centre: Global study links plant protein to longer life, animal protein to early survival
25 Apr 2025 | Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney
Lead author and researcher Caitlin Andrews, Ph.D. candidate at the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Australia, breaks down her recent global study on protein sources and longevity, spanning 101 countries. The research challenges conventional wisdom by showing that while animal protein supports early life survival, plant-based protein is more closely associated with adult longevity and overall life expectancy. Andrews discusses the importance of policy in low-resource settings, how plant proteins can be optimized in real-world diets, and why a nuanced, life-stage-specific approach to nutrition could be key to better health outcomes worldwide.
