Dietary total and food-specific spermidine intake and all-cause, cardiovascular mortality: cohort study

Researchers followed adults in a long-term cohort study, meaning they observed a group over time without assigning diets. They estimated spermidine intake, a natural substance found in foods such as beans, whole grains, vegetables, mushrooms, and some fruits. People with higher dietary spermidine intake had fewer deaths overall and fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease, involving the heart and blood vessels. The study also looked at which individual foods contributed most to these links. Because people chose their own diets, the results show an association, not proof that spermidine itself prevented deaths.

What this means for you: This does not justify buying spermidine supplements or changing your diet for this reason alone. Eating more beans, vegetables, whole grains, and other minimally processed foods is generally sensible, but this study cannot show that spermidine caused the lower death rates.