A new study reveals that a Mediterranean diet helps women age gracefully and have a healthier and longer life expectancy.
In the study published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine," on Tuesday, November, 5, researchers at Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston asked 10,670 women in their 50s and 60s about their health, dietary habits and general well-being.
The study, funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, followed the women for 15 years and the initial phase was conducted between 1984 and 1986. The study found that women who followed a diet rich in healthy fats, plants and lean meats were 40 percent more likely to live up to 70 without suffering from any chronic ailments like diabetes and heart diseases.
The Mediterranean diet emphasizes on the consumption of healthy fats and avoiding processed foods in favor of vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish and whole grains. Eating less red meat is advisable and consumption of Olive oil is also a part of the staple diet, as well as moderate amount of red wine.
"The Mediterranean diet is characterized by greater intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and fish; lower intake of red and processed meats; moderate intake of alcohol; higher amounts of monounsaturated fats, mostly provided by olive oil from Mediterranean countries; and lower amounts of saturated fats," lead researcher Dr. Cecilia Samieri said.
However, even though the study does not take into consideration the effects of the diet on men, per Samieri, previous studies have not found any gender differences to exist when it comes to diet and healthy aging.
According to Samieri "so it seems reasonable to believe that the benefit would be similar." However, this is just an assumption and needs validation.
Adoption of the diet at a earlier stage is in all likelihood better rather than later, per Samieri.
