HEALTHWATCH
The Mediterranean diet, long celebrated for its cardiovascular benefits, may also significantly reduce the risk of death, according to new research.
In a study published Friday in JAMA Network Open, researchers tracked 25,315 women over a span of 25 years, discovering that those who closely followed the Mediterranean diet experienced a 23% reduction in overall mortality. The diet was also linked to lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The Mediterranean diet is inspired by traditional eating habits of the region, focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts, and whole grains.
Participants provided initial health information between 1993 and 1996, which included data on 33 blood biomarkers, self-reported weight, and lifestyle factors. These women, all healthcare professionals with an average age of 54.6, filled out health questionnaires every six months for the first year and annually thereafter. From 2018 to 2023, researchers analyzed medical and death records to determine mortality rates and causes of death.
“Those with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet typically led healthier lifestyles, exhibiting lower BMI and consuming more fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, and fish, while eating less red and processed meat,” the study authors stated. “A higher Mediterranean diet score correlated with an overall healthier biomarker profile.”
Previous research has also highlighted the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. A study from last year indicated a 24% reduction in cardiovascular disease risk among women, based on a meta-analysis of 16 prior studies.
However, the latest study had some limitations, such as a lack of racial and ethnic diversity among participants. The majority were middle-aged, well-educated women who were predominantly (over 94%) white, which might limit the applicability of the findings to broader populations. Additionally, dietary adherence was measured through food questionnaires, which could be prone to misclassification.
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