The question: Might the Mediterranean diet, shown to help fight heart disease, prove beneficial against other chronic disorders as well?
This study: It analyzed data from 12 studies, involving nearly 1.6 million adults whose dietary habits were monitored for up to 18 years. The more closely people had adhered to a Mediterranean diet (rich in fruit, vegetables, grains, fish, nuts, olive oil and moderate amounts of red wine, but low in red meat, dairy products and other alcohol) the less likely they were to have developed or died from a chronic disease. Specifically, people who most strictly followed the diet were 9 percent less likely to have died from cardiovascular disease, 6 percent less likely to have a cancer diagnosis and 13 percent less likely to have developed Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease than were those whose eating patterns were not in line with the diet.
Who may be affected? Adults who follow the Mediterranean diet.
Caveats: Variations occur among people following a Mediterranean diet, and the study did not determine whether different food and drink components had differing effects on the outcome.
Find this study: Sept. 11 online issue of BMJ.
Learn more: www.americanheart.org and www.mayoclinic.com.
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