Holy mackerel…the Mediterranean diet reduces ageing

New study sheds more light on benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

HV Editor: We agree on the whole! Except on weekends of course when G&Ts, Brandy and patatas bravas are practically the law around here. LOL! And remember Hondon de las Nieves has a great market and al fresco vice on Saturday mornings in the Village Plaza :-)

med-diet[Source: AngloInfo]  To many expats the headline may seem like old but good news to those who already eat a Mediterranean diet, based on findings from years ago.

However, a new study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) this week, reinforces the previous findings that following a Mediterranean diet helps prevent or slow down ageing.

The health of about 5,000 nurses in the USA was followed with a controlled number placed on a Mediterranean diet for more than ten years. The nurses on the Mediterranean diet showed fewer signs of ageing than their counterparts on a ‘normal’ diet. Specifically, it seems that microscopic ‘caps’ called telomeres, which protect our genetic material as it divides, get shorter and less protective on a normal diet. Whereas on a Mediterranean diet, the nurses’ telomeres did not shorten as much; and they showed fewer signs of cell degradation, or ageing.

What is a Mediterranean diet? According to the BMJ it involves eating, “a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and grains; a high intake of olive oil but a low intake of saturated fats; a moderately high intake of fish; a low intake of dairy products, meat, and poultry; and a regular but moderate intake of alcohol (specifically wine with meals).

Three cheers for following the Mediterranean diet then.

One of the best places to find fresh food that fits the Mediterranean diet is at local markets (whether you live in the Med area or not). To find your closest local market, go ‘What’s On’ on your local AngloINFO site and then choose ‘Markets’ from the drop down menu.

» by AngloINFO World editor