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Mediterranean diet extends lifespan

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Marie Claire Lifestyle News: Mediterranean food

Eating a Mediterranean-style diet helps you live longer by protecting against all the major chronic diseases, a new study has found.

Research published today found that those who eat plenty of fresh fruit, fish, vegetables and whole grains are less likely to die prematurely and are defended against heart disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease and cancer.

Scientists at the University of Florence in Italy looked at 12 international studies and used a scale to work out how closely the participants stuck to the diet.

Those with higher scores were shown to have significant improvements in their health and found to be less likely to die from any cause or have a major chronic disease.

The diet followed by the Greeks, Italians and Spanish has been thought to improve health because it is high in fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and healthy fats such as olive oil, and low in red meat and dairy products.

The Mediterranean habit of drinking red wine was encouraged in moderation, says the study published today in the British Medical Journal Online First.

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Greeks, Italians, Spanish... AND Portuguese.
Comment by Anon on September 12 14:17

Well, none of the coasts of Portugal are by the Mediterranean...
Comment by Jedi_Princess_Elan on September 13 09:19

Good advice, just add some sunshine to the diet!!
Comment by D. Walker on September 14 16:07

Also excellent for helping to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, and maintaing or controlling your weight.
Comment by Roz Grover on September 19 16:31