By Dr. Liji Thomas, MD Reviewed by Lauren Hardaker Nov 7 2025 Researchers have uncovered striking sex-based differences in how diet influences metabolism with age, revealing that plant proteins and whole grains enhance men’s insulin sensitivity, while moderate wine consumption benefits women. Study: Sex Differences in Associations Between Diet and Metabolic Health in Older Adults: The Roles of Vegetable Protein and Alcohol Intake . Image credit: simona pilolla/Shutterstock.com As we age, the