Study shows seniors eating bad food

(ANSA) - Rome, May 21 - Too many Italian senior citizens are making poor food choices and even eating products past their best-before dates, with potentially risky health effects, according to a study released Thursday.
    Rome's Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore said 200 elderly people with an average age of 74 were involved in the study that found only 15.4% turned to their family doctor for nutritional advice.
    Instead, for the majority their main source of advice on food and well-being was the television.
    Nutritional deficiencies and less physical activity have been linked with the onset of physical frailties and reduced cognitive process, said Francesco Landi of the school's department of geriatrics.
    A diet too rich in sugars and other carbohydrates that the body absorbs too rapidly not only affects the risk of obesity, but also reduces cognitive functions.
    In contrast, foods with antioxidants, such as fish, oil or broccoli help to protect against obesity and even some cancers.