# Exercise and Good Diet Together Linked to Fewer Deaths

_Evidence Level: Moderate · Dong H et al., JACC. Advances, DOI 10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.103338_

*Associations of Physical Activity and Diet Quality With Mortality and Cardiovascular Disease in Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome.*

- **Evidence Level**: Moderate
- **Why this grade**: A very large prospective cohort study, but observational and partly based on self-reported activity and diet.
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: JACC. Advances
- **Sample Size**: 339,074 UK Biobank adults aged about 56
- **Authors**: Dong H, Wang Y, Chen Y, Han C, Gao W, Zhang Z, Xu X, Tian F, Ma F, Zhao Z, Gao X, Sun L
- **Graded and published**: 2026-10-13
- **Last edited**: 2026-10-16
- **Topics**: Exercise, Nutrition, Heart Health
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.103338
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42868966/

## Summary

In a large British study, being physically active and eating a high-quality diet were each linked to fewer deaths and less cardiovascular disease, and the link was strongest when people did both. The researchers analyzed 339,074 UK Biobank participants with an average age of 56. Active meant at least 150 minutes a week of walking or moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Participants were also grouped by stage of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, a scale of how far heart, kidney and metabolic problems have progressed, and the combined link grew stronger at later stages, for example for heart failure. Because the data are observational, they cannot show that the habits themselves caused the difference.

## Practical Takeaway

Combining regular activity with a good diet was linked to fewer deaths, especially in people with advanced heart, kidney and metabolic problems.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-germany.com/en/research/exercise-and-good-diet-together-linked-to-fewer-deaths · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-10-16_