January 8, 2008 – Study of Americans over 50 once again demonstrates benefits of the Mediterranean diet1. According to the results, the risk of death from all causes was 21% lower in subjects who ate a diet that most closely resembled the Cretan diet.
The protective effect of a Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease and cancer has been shown repeatedly in Europe. However, no study has yet looked at its benefits in Americans.
From 1995 to 2000, the study authors analyzed the medical records of 380,286 members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) aged 50 to 71. The subjects had answered a questionnaire on their eating habits.
This diet would help reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, say the authors of the study. It would also have a protective effect against cancer thanks to its high content in fiber and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
The Mediterranean diet is distinguished by its abundance of fruits and vegetables and whole grain products. Proponents of the Mediterranean diet eat fish several times a week, limit their intake of red meat, chicken and eggs, and use olive oil – rich in monounsaturated fats.
Charles Désy – PasseportSanté.net
1. Mitrou PN, Kipnis V et al., Mediterranean Dietary Pattern and Prediction of All-Cause Mortality in a US Population: Results From the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, Arch Intern Med, 2007 Dec 10; 167 (22): 2461-8.
