While most studies of the
Mediterranean diet in the past have concentrated on
Greek citizens, the researchers behind this latest one
cast their nets considerably further to involve 75,000
seniors living in nine European countries. The diet
was modified so that unsaturated fats (general plant
based oils) instead of monounsaturated fats (very specific
plant based oils found in olives, seeds and nuts) were
used.
The results? Those participants who most closely followed
the diet tended to have a lower overall mortality rate
than those who did not. An example the researchers used
was that a 60 year old man who regularly followed their
modified Mediterranean diet lived on average a year
longer than a similar 60 year old man who didn’t.
Note: The traditional Mediterranean diet also incorporates
a number of other elements, including: moderate fish
intake; low intake of saturated fats (animal-based fats);
low to moderate dairy intake; low intake of meat and
poultry; and regular, albeit moderate, alcohol intake,
usually consumed in the form of wine served with meals.
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