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Edited by: TJVNews.com
For years, the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been celebrated, but a new study from Harvard sheds light on a broader concept: the Mediterranean lifestyle, as was recently reported in the New York Post. This study reveals that living this lifestyle can decrease the likelihood of premature death by an impressive 29%, presenting a compelling case for adopting a way of life that promotes health and longevity, the report added.
The study, published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings and conducted collaboratively by La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, examined the habits of residents in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain, according to the Post report. While the well-known Mediterranean diet plays a pivotal role, this research underscores the importance of holistic lifestyle factors.
The Mediterranean diet, consistently ranked as the best overall diet by US News & World Report for six consecutive years, advocates for consuming nutrient-rich whole foods and grains. As was reported by the Post, this dietary pattern spans 21 countries that border the Mediterranean Sea, including Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, and Monaco. Fresh greens, fruits, fish, nuts, and olives form the cornerstone of this diet, with a focus on lean proteins, fresh produce, and the renowned antioxidant-rich olive oil.
However, the Post also reported that the study delves beyond dietary specifics to identify key aspects of the Mediterranean lifestyle that contribute to longevity. Rest, physical activity, and socialization emerged as pivotal components of this lifestyle. Individuals who adhere to these principles experience lower risks of all-cause mortality, cancer mortality, and cardiovascular disease mortality.
“People who adhere to a Mediterranean lifestyle have a lower risk of all-cause and cancer mortality,” a press release for the study declared, as the Post reported. “People who adhered to the lifestyle’s emphasis on rest, exercise, and socializing with friends had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.”
Intriguingly, the study tracked the habits of 110,799 participants aged 40 to 75 from the UK Biobank cohort—a comprehensive study across England, Wales, and Scotland. The Post report indicated that the researchers employed the Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index, a tool encompassing diet assessments and a lifestyle questionnaire, to evaluate participants’ adherence to the three categories: Med diet, Mediterranean meal habits, and overall Med lifestyle.
The follow-up survey conducted nine years later revealed significant associations between the Mediterranean lifestyle and reduced mortality risk. According to the Post report, participants who adhered to all three MEDLIFE index categories experienced a notable 29% lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 28% lower risk of cancer mortality. Among these categories, the “physical activity, rest, and social habits” segment demonstrated the strongest correlation with lowered death risks and decreased cardiovascular disease mortality.
While previous studies predominantly explored the benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle within the Mediterranean region, this research presents a groundbreaking perspective. As was noted in the Post report, the study suggests that non-Mediterranean populations can embrace this lifestyle by adapting it to their local culture and available resources, leading to positive health outcomes.
“This study suggests that it’s possible for non-Mediterranean populations to adopt the Mediterranean diet using locally available products and to adopt the overall Mediterranean lifestyle within their own cultural contexts,” stated lead author Mercedes Sotos Prieto, a Ramon y Cajal research fellow at UAM and Harvard Chan adjunct assistant professor of environmental health, according to the Post report. “We’re seeing the transferability of the lifestyle and its positive effects on health.”
