According to Gram Research analysis of 1,322 older adults in Brazil, men were significantly less likely to eat fresh fruit combined with beans or vegetables, while people living in the state capital consumed these healthy food combinations at much higher rates than those in other areas. Race also mattered, with people identifying as Brown showing higher consumption of fruits and vegetables than those identifying as Yellow, revealing that sociodemographic factors create real inequalities in access to nutritious food.
A Gram Research analysis of 1,322 older adults in Brazil found that where you live, your gender, and your race all affect whether you eat fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables. Researchers looked at health records from people in Roraima state and discovered that men were less likely to eat fruit combined with beans or vegetables, while people living in the state capital ate more of these healthy foods. People who identified as Brown had better vegetable and fruit consumption than those who identified as Yellow. These findings show that healthy eating isn’t just about personal choice, but also depends on factors like location and background that affect access to nutritious food.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 1,322 older adults in Roraima, Brazil, found that male participants had significantly lower prevalence of consuming fresh fruit combined with beans and fresh fruit combined with vegetables compared to female participants.
According to research reviewed by Gram, older adults living in the state capital of Roraima showed substantially higher prevalence of consuming fresh fruit with beans, fresh fruit with vegetables, beans with vegetables, and all three food groups combined compared to those in other areas.
A 2026 analysis of 1,322 Brazilian older adults found that those who self-identified as Brown had higher prevalence of consuming fresh fruit combined with vegetables than those who self-identified as Yellow, demonstrating racial disparities in healthy food access.
Research from 1,322 older adults in Brazil revealed that sociodemographic factors including gender, race, and geographic location were significantly associated with consumption of fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables, indicating that healthy eating inequality follows predictable demographic patterns.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a person’s gender, race, and where they live affects how much healthy food they eat, specifically fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables.
- Who participated: 1,322 older adults (age 60 and up) living in Roraima state, Brazil, who had previously been diagnosed with COVID-19 and received care through the public health system.
- Key finding: Men were significantly less likely to eat fruit combined with beans or vegetables. People living in the state capital ate more healthy food combinations than those in other areas. Race also mattered, with people identifying as Brown showing higher consumption of fruits and vegetables than those identifying as Yellow.
- What it means for you: If you’re an older adult, your access to healthy food may depend on where you live and other factors beyond your control. This research suggests that public health programs should focus on helping specific groups get better access to fresh produce, beans, and vegetables rather than just telling everyone to eat healthier.
The Research Details
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study, which is like taking a snapshot of a group at one moment in time rather than following them over months or years. They looked at 1,322 older adults in Roraima, Brazil, who had all been diagnosed with COVID-19 and were receiving care through the public health system. The researchers gathered information about each person’s age, gender, race, and where they lived from electronic health records. They also used a special food tracking form called the Food Consumption Markers Form to see what people had eaten the day before. This form asks about specific foods like fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables, which are considered healthy choices. The researchers then used statistical methods to figure out which factors (like being male or living in a certain area) were connected to eating more or less of these healthy foods.
This research approach is important because it shows real-world patterns in how different groups of people eat. By studying actual patients in the health care system rather than volunteers in a lab, the results reflect what really happens in people’s lives. The cross-sectional design lets researchers identify which groups might need extra help getting access to healthy food. Understanding these patterns is the first step toward creating programs that work for specific communities.
This study has several strengths: it included a large number of participants (1,322), used official health records rather than relying on people’s memory, and looked at multiple factors at once. However, because it’s a snapshot study, researchers can’t prove that one factor causes another, only that they’re connected. The study only included people who had COVID-19 and were in the health care system, so results might not apply to all older adults. The study also only measured what people ate on one day, which might not represent their usual eating habits.
What the Results Show
Male participants had significantly lower rates of eating fresh fruit combined with beans, and fresh fruit combined with vegetables, compared to female participants. This suggests that men in this population may face different barriers to eating these healthy food combinations or may have different food preferences. Older adults who identified as Brown had higher rates of consuming fresh fruit combined with vegetables compared to those who identified as Yellow. This difference might reflect different access to markets, cultural food traditions, or other community factors. The most striking finding was about location: people living in the state capital had much higher rates of consuming all the healthy food combinations studied, including fresh fruit with beans, fresh fruit with vegetables, beans with vegetables, and all three food groups together. This suggests that living in the capital city provides better access to these foods or more opportunities to purchase them.
When researchers looked at combinations of foods rather than single foods, the patterns became even clearer. People who ate one healthy food were more likely to eat others, suggesting that access to healthy food markets or knowledge about nutrition tends to cluster in certain areas. The differences between groups remained significant even when researchers adjusted for other factors, meaning these patterns weren’t just due to age or other obvious reasons.
Previous research has shown that socioeconomic factors affect diet quality, but this study adds important information about how gender and race specifically matter for older adults in Brazil. The finding that location is so important aligns with other studies showing that food deserts, areas without good access to fresh produce, create real barriers to healthy eating. This research confirms that inequality in healthy eating isn’t random but follows patterns related to where people live and their demographic background.
The study only looked at one day of food consumption, which might not represent what people usually eat. It only included people who had COVID-19 and were in the health care system, so results might not apply to all older adults in Brazil or other countries. The study couldn’t prove that being male or living in a certain area causes lower healthy food consumption, only that these factors are connected. The researchers couldn’t measure why these differences exist, such as whether it’s due to money, access to stores, knowledge about nutrition, or personal preference. The study was done in one state in Brazil, so results might be different in other regions.
The Bottom Line
If you’re an older adult, try to include fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables in your meals as much as your budget and local stores allow. If you live in an area with limited access to fresh produce, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables are healthy alternatives. Talk to your doctor or a nutritionist about affordable ways to eat healthier. For public health officials: this research suggests that simply telling people to eat better isn’t enough. Programs should focus on improving access to healthy foods in underserved areas and addressing barriers that specific groups face.
Older adults should care about this research because it shows that healthy eating depends partly on factors outside individual control. Public health officials and policymakers should care because it identifies specific groups that need targeted help. Community leaders in areas with limited food access should use this information to advocate for better grocery stores and farmers markets. Healthcare providers should understand that dietary recommendations need to account for real-world barriers their patients face.
If you start eating more fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables, you might notice improvements in energy levels within 2 to 4 weeks. Benefits for chronic disease prevention and management typically take several months to become noticeable. Long-term health improvements from consistent healthy eating can take 6 months to several years to fully develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do men eat less fruit and vegetables than women according to this study?
The study found the pattern but didn’t explain why it happens. Possible reasons include different food preferences, less involvement in meal planning, or different access to stores. More research is needed to understand the causes behind this gender difference in healthy eating.
Does living in a city really make it easier to eat healthy foods?
According to this 2026 study of 1,322 older adults in Brazil, yes. People in the state capital ate significantly more fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables in all combinations compared to those in other areas, suggesting better access to these foods in urban locations.
Can I improve my diet if I live in an area without good grocery stores?
Yes. Frozen and canned fruits and vegetables are nutritious alternatives when fresh produce isn’t available. Online grocery delivery, farmers markets, and community gardens can also help. Talk to your doctor about affordable options in your area.
Does this research apply to older adults outside of Brazil?
The study was done in one Brazilian state, so results might differ in other countries. However, the pattern that location affects food access is likely universal. Your local conditions, economy, and food systems will determine how much this applies to you.
What should I do if I want to eat more beans and vegetables but can’t afford them?
Buy dried beans and lentils, which are cheaper than fresh produce and last longer. Look for sales on frozen vegetables, which are just as nutritious as fresh. Check if your area has food assistance programs, community gardens, or food banks that can help.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Log your daily consumption of fresh fruits, beans, and vegetables as separate items and in combinations. Track whether you ate fruit with beans, fruit with vegetables, or all three together. Note your location or which store you shopped at to identify patterns in your access to these foods.
- Set a daily goal to eat at least one combination of these foods: fresh fruit plus beans, fresh fruit plus vegetables, or beans plus vegetables. Use the app to find affordable sources of these foods near you, including farmers markets, discount grocers, or frozen food options. Create reminders to shop for these items weekly.
- Track your consumption weekly and monthly to see if you’re meeting your goals. Compare your intake across different seasons to understand how availability affects your eating. Note any barriers you encounter (cost, access, preference) and use the app to find solutions or alternatives.
This research describes associations between demographic factors and food consumption but does not prove that one causes the other. Results are specific to older adults in Roraima, Brazil, and may not apply to other populations or regions. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or registered dietitian. If you have specific health conditions or dietary concerns, consult with a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet. The study measured food consumption on a single day, which may not represent typical eating patterns.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.