Mediterranean diet helps women live longer

Women who followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.

The Mediterranean diet features simple, plant-based cooking, with much of each meal focused on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, a few nuts and a heavy emphasis on extra-virgin olive oil.

Fats other than olive oil, such as butter, are consumed rarely, if at all, and sugar and refined foods are avoided.

The study found that following the Mediterranean diet cut the risk of early death by 23%, decreased the risk of dying from cancer by 17% and dying from cardiovascular disease by 20%.

Each increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 6% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 5% reduced risk of dying from either heart disease or cancer. 

Full story: JAMA Network

 

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