A recent large-scale study has found that women who closely adhere to a Mediterranean diet tend to live longer than those who do not. The study, which spanned over 25 years and included more than 25,000 women, revealed that following a Mediterranean dietary pattern could reduce the risk of death by about one quarter, benefiting both cancer and cardiovascular mortality, the leading causes of death.

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by simple, plant-based cooking, with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, and extra-virgin olive oil. Red meat is consumed sparingly, while healthy oily fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids are encouraged. In contrast, foods high in sugar and refined grains are to be avoided, and other fats like butter are rarely consumed.

According to Dr. David Katz, a specialist in preventive and lifestyle medicine, adherence to the Mediterranean diet in the study was a measure of diet quality. Those who followed the diet more closely tended to consume more legumes, vegetables, fruits, less meat, and fewer processed meats.

While the study was observational and could not establish a direct cause and effect relationship, the results align with previous research on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. The study suggests that a high-quality diet may contribute to a lower risk of mortality, indicating a positive impact on longevity.

The findings also indicated that each increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a longer lifespan for women. This underscores the importance of studying the effects of diet on women’s health, as the Mediterranean diet has been linked to a reduced risk of various health conditions including breast cancer, dementia, depression, diabetes, high cholesterol, and memory loss.