Mediterranean Diet Tied to 23% Lower Risk of Death in Landmark 25-Year Study

Researchers found that the Mediterranean diet reduces all-cause mortality by 23% among U.S. women, likely due to beneficial changes in metabolism and inflammation markers, emphasizing its potential for improving public health.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have explored and analyzed the fundamental reasons that might account for the Mediterranean diet’s 23 percent decrease in overall mortality risk among American women.

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have explored and evaluated the potential underlying mechanisms that could account for the 23 percent decrease in all-cause mortality risk among American women following the Mediterranean diet.

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been reported in multiple studies, but there is limited long-term data on its effects on U.S. women and little understanding of why the diet may reduce the risk of death.

In a new study that followed more than 25,000 initially healthy U.S. women for up to 25 years, researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a founding member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, found that participants who had greater Mediterranean diet intake had up to 23% lower risk of all-cause mortality, with benefits for both cancer mortality and cardiovascular mortality.

The researchers found evidence of biological changes that may help explain why: they detected changes in biomarkers of metabolism, inflammation, scitechdaily.com