Med diet components linked to longer life: Study

By Stephen Daniells

- Last updated on GMT

Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in vegetables, fruits and nuts, olive oil, and legumes, may lead to longer life, according to a new study from Greece.

Results of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC) suggest that cereals and dairy products didn’t make a major contribution, while moderate alcohol consumption and low meat consumption were linked to longer life.

“An analysis of this type cannot provide universally applicable results, because diet varies across populations and also between sections of the same population,”​ wrote the researchers in the British Medical Journal​.

“Nevertheless, our results indicate that the Mediterranean diet score that has been widely used is an effective predictor of mortality,” ​they added.

The study adds to a large body of science supporting a Mediterranean-style diet. The dietary pattern has been linked to longer life, less heart disease, and protection against some cancers. The diet's main nutritional components include beta-carotene, vitamin C, tocopherols, polyphenols, and essential minerals.

Antonia Trichopoulou and her co-workers from the University of Athens and Harvard School of Public Health followed 23,349 healthy Greek men and women aged between 20 and 86 for an average of 8.5 years.

Over the course of the study, 652 deaths were observed in people with the lowest Med diet scores, while 423 deaths were recorded in people with the highest Med diet scores.

“Controlling for potential confounders, higher adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a statistically significant reduction in total mortality,”​ wrote the researchers.

“Increased adherence to the Mediterranean diet score by two units, a realistic change, was associated with a statistically significant 14 per cent lower overall mortality,”​ they added.

When they looked at the individual components they elucidated that nine components contributed to the benefits, including moderate alcohol consumption, low meat and meat product consumption, high consumption of vegetables, fruit, legume, olive oil, and nuts, and a high monounsaturated to saturated lipid ratio.

However, cereal and dairy consumption had only minimal effects, while increased fish and seafood consumption was linked to a non-significant increase in mortality.

“The contribution of the nine components to the Mediterranean diet score was approximately additive,”​ wrote the researchers.

Source: British Medical Journal
Published online ahead of print, Online First, 2009; 338: b2337 doi:10.1136/bmj.b2337
"Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study"
Authors: A. Trichopoulou, C. Bamia, D. Trichopoulos

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Curcumin on Autonomic Balance: The First In Its Class

Curcumin on Autonomic Balance: The First In Its Class

Content provided by Theravalues Corporation | 17-Sep-2024 | Research Study

Theracurmin Super® is a Japan-made curcumin powder that is the first to patent Amorphous Conversion Technology in a proprietary formulation to enhance...

Fast acting Specialty Lutein Esters

Fast acting Specialty Lutein Esters

Content provided by Ennature Biopharma, a Division of India Glycols Limited | 16-Sep-2024 | Case Study

Xanthogreen® is a clinically validated, clean label ingredient from marigold flowers that helps boost your eye health with visible effects in as little...

13X Boost in Glutathione with LipoAvail™

13X Boost in Glutathione with LipoAvail™

Content provided by Effepharm Ltd | 03-Sep-2024 | Product Brochure

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and vital metabolic regulator within cells. But it is unstable, susceptible to light, humidity, heat, gastric acid,...

Your guide to nutritional care innovation

Your guide to nutritional care innovation

Content provided by dsm-firmenich | 20-Aug-2024 | Insight Guide

The medical nutrition market is primed for innovation due to aging populations, chronic diseases, nutrition awareness and scientific advances. Our comprehensive...

Related suppliers

Follow us

Products

View more

Webinars