Study: Mediterranean Diet Linked with Longer Life

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Study: Mediterranean Diet Linked with Longer Life

 

 

 

By Patricia Reaney

LONDON (Reuters) - Eating a Mediterranean diet not only helps people stay

healthy, it also seems to prolong life, Greek researchers said on Friday.

 

In a study of nearly 75,000 Europeans aged 60 and above, the diet based on

plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, fish and olive oil was linked to

a longer life expectancy.

 

" Adherence to the Mediterranean diet reduces mortality, " Professor Dimitrios

Trichopoulos, of the University of Athens said in an interview.

 

" There is a particular type of diet in Mediterranean countries that seems to

prolong life. "

 

The benefits of the diet in warding off heart disease, some cancers and other

illnesses are well documented but the findings reported in the British Medical

Journal are among the first to show it may prolong life.

 

Exactly how much a Mediterranean diet can extend lifespan depends on a person's

age. But a 60-year-old man who sticks to the diet can expect to live a year

longer that someone of a similar age eating differently, according to the

researchers.

 

" To increase life expectancy by one year is a considerable accomplishment, " said

Trichopoulos who added that a younger person could expect a bigger benefit.

 

MINIMISM SATURATED FAT INTAKE

 

How the Mediterranean diet may reduce mortality is unknown but Trichopoulos said

the diet is rich in antioxidants such as vitamins A and C which neutralize cell

damage from charged particles called free radicals. Antioxidants are thought to

help fight cancer and heart disease.

 

The diet includes a reduced intake of saturated fats, meats and dairy products

which Trichopoulos said may modulate blood lipid levels. Saturated fats can clog

the arteries.

 

" The diet seems to affect both cardiovascular mortality and cancer mortality, "

he added.

 

The researchers compared the diet of people in nine European countries --

Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and

Britain.

 

The link between diet and mortality was most pronounced in Greece and Spain, two

nations which the researchers said follow a true Mediterranean diet.

 

" We are closer to the genuine Mediterranean diet. The others are

approximations, " according to Trichopoulos.

 

The researchers studied information on diet, lifestyle, medical history, smoking

and physical activity. They assigned dietary scores corresponding to adherence

to the diet.

 

A higher dietary score was associated with a lower overall death rate. A

two-point rise in dietary score corresponded to an 8 percent reduction in

mortality and a 4 percent increase to a 14 percent drop.

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets.html