24 Jun 2009
People could end up living longer if they stick to a variation of the Mediterranean diet, new research has suggested.
A study published on bmj.com revealed that certain food groups in the Mediterranean diet are more effective than others in boosting health and increasing the longevity of a person's life.
Increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses and olive oil are linked to living longer, as is drinking moderate amounts of alcohol and limiting the amount of meat a person eats.
It was also revealed that sticking to a diet high in fish, seafood and cereals and low in dairy products did not contribute to longevity.
Study authors, led by professor Dimitrios Trichopoulos at the Harvard School of Public Health, explained that the benefits of a Mediterranean diet were "substantially reduced" when a high intake of vegetables, low intake of meat and moderate alcohol consumption were not considered.
The Mediterranean diet is often praised as an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which research has shown can prevent heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer.
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