LONDON, March 22 ― Countless benefits have now been attributed to the Mediterranean diet, and researchers around the world continue to be fascinated with it. Two new scientific studies praise its merits yet again, finding that it may be helpful in reducing the risk of dementia, as well as reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and premature death in women. If you're not already a convert of the Mediterranean diet, these studies should help convince you.
Voted best diet in the world for the sixth year consecutively by the American publication US News & World Report, the Mediterranean diet continues to make headlines as more of its benefits get discovered ― or at least validated by science. This is again the case, as two new studies have revealed more virtues of eating this way. In addition to its effects on passive smoking, cognitive functioning, skin and even premature aging, the Mediterranean diet has now shown its superiority in more areas of wellness: researchers have found that it's associated with a lower risk of dementia and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease in women.
Combating dementia
Scientists from the University of Newcastle investigated the link between the Mediterranean diet and the risk of dementia. Published in the journal BMC Medicine, their work is based on data from 60,298 people from the UK Biobank, a large cohort of individuals from all over the United Kingdom, followed for a decade. They suggest that “eating a more Mediterranean-like diet could be one strategy to help individuals lower their risk of dementia.”
Another finding of the researchers, who took into account the genetic risk of dementia for each individual, was that a better diet could also reduce the likelihood of developing any dementia for those with a higher genetic risk. However, they caution that “this finding was not consistent across all the analyses and the authors propose further research is needed to assess the interaction between diet and genetics on dementia risk.”
However, their research could boost prevention efforts by emphasising the importance of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats.
Benefits for women
In another study, a team of researchers looked at no less than 190 surveys conducted mainly in the United States and Europe, analysing the potential impact of a Mediterranean diet on women's cardiovascular health and risk of death. In total, they selected 16 studies published between 2003 and 2021 involving more than 700,000 women aged 18 years and over, whose cardiovascular health was monitored for an average of 12.5 years.
Published in the medical journal Heart, their research suggests that women who adopt a Mediterranean diet could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by 24 per cent and the risk of death from all causes by 23 per cent. However, the scientists point out that their work has some limitations, particularly because it is based mainly on observation and self-reported questionnaires. Nevertheless, they intend to continue their research to determine whether the Mediterranean diet can indeed be taken into account as a means of prevention against cardiovascular disease.
“It is possible that preventative measures, such as a Mediterranean diet, that targets inflammation and CVD risk factors, impose differing effects in women compared with men,” outline the researchers.
Two new studies confirm ― once again ― the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which emphasises whole plant-based and seafood components. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, herbs, fish and shellfish are among the key ingredients of the Mediterranean diet, which also emphasizes olive oil, preferably virgin and cold pressed. ― ETX Studio
