Food and beverages undermining elderly health: three food-based dietary guidelines to avoid or delay chronic diseases of lifestyle among the elderly in South Africa

Dietary patterns among South African older adults indicate a moderate intake of total fat and salt, as well as a high sugar intake. Total fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt intakes are associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mortality. Processed and ultra-processed foods are common in elderly households and contain high levels of fat, sugar and salt and are associated with frailty. This paper aims to review the available scientific evidence on the effect on health status of dietary sugar, fat and salt consumption among the elderly. This information will be used to confirm the need for dietary sugar, fat and salt food-based dietary guidelines for the elderly South African population.