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.
