United States: During the times when falling sick to severe infections is quite common, the health experts suggest to follow proper diet. Amid this, the Mediterranean diet has gained popularity – as it is known for various health benefits – backed by numerous studies across different age groups. However, certain studies have claimed that this type of diet possess impact on some communities, especially US women.
A recent study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital sheds new light on this, showing that a higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to a 23% lower risk of all-cause mortality among American women. This diet not only lowers overall mortality but also reduces cancer and cardiovascular mortality risks.
In the paper that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the researchers followed 25,215 initially healthy women in the USA for up to 25 years. It concluded that the prospective observational study of the people wherein participants adhered most closely to what is known as the Mediterranean diet had notably lower risks of death. It was established that the diet had positive effects on metabolic pathways, inflammatory mappings, and insulin signaling patterns.
Understanding the Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet has been found to be rich in foods derived from plants, including nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Olive oil, extra virgin, is used as a fat source, but other types of oils can also be used. Allowed foods are low to moderate amounts of non-red meats, fish, poultry, dairy, eggs, and moderate to low amounts of alcohol. It is postulated that this approach ensures that the diet is not LG, but it is balanced and varied and healthy.
Due to the large number of differences between the Mediterranean diet and the typical western diet, researchers analyzed some 40 biomarkers to determine the biological processes associated with the diet. They observed that metabolism and inflammation indexes were most prevalent and accounted for lower mortality rates among beneficiaries. Others were lipid parameters comprising of triglyceride carriers, adiposity and insulin dysresterodity. Other aspects that were identified as contributors included further related pathways concerning branched-chain amino acids, HDL and LDL cholesterol, glycemic indices, and hypertension.
Implications for Public Health
The study highlights the Mediterranean diet’s potential to enhance public health by lowering the risk of metabolic diseases and related mortality. Dr. Shafqat Ahmad, the study’s lead author, emphasized that even small changes in established risk factors can lead to significant long-term benefits. This suggests that promoting healthier dietary habits could notably decrease overall mortality rates.
Despite its insights, the study has some limitations. The participants were mainly non-Hispanic, white, middle-aged, and older, well-educated female health professionals. Additionally, the study relied on self-reported data, including food frequency questionnaires and measures of height, weight, and blood pressure. Nonetheless, the study’s large scale and long follow-up period strengthen its findings.
It is to be noted that as the Mediterranean diet gained popularity among various countries and cultures. While addressing the same, Dr Mora mentioned that the benefits of the Mediterranean diet must be highlighted by public health policies to discourage unhealthy adaptations.