Living a Mediterranean lifestyle, characterized by good food, good friends, and adequate rest, has been found to reduce the risk of premature death by 29 percent. This study indicates that individuals can increase their lifespan by adopting the habits of those in Mediterranean countries, even if they do not reside there.
The research analyzed a group of 110,799 participants aged 40 to 75 in the UK. These individuals were asked questions regarding their diet, eating habits, and lifestyle. The study revealed that a Mediterranean lifestyle involves getting six to eight hours of sleep, socializing with friends and family, engaging in physical activity, avoiding excessive sedentary behavior, participating in sports with others, and taking naps.
In terms of diet, a Mediterranean approach entails consuming abundant amounts of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and nuts, while also limiting salt intake. The participants were then given a score out of 25 to assess their adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle.
After tracking the medical records of the participants for an average of nine years, the study compared the scores of individuals who died, died from cancer, and died from cardiovascular disease. The results showed that those in the top quarter of the study, who followed the Mediterranean lifestyle most closely, were 29 percent less likely to die than those with the least adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle. Furthermore, they were 28 percent less likely to die from cancer.
Dr. Mercedes Sotos Prieto, the senior author of the study, from the Autonomous University of Madrid and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, stated that the findings demonstrate the transferability of the Mediterranean lifestyle and its positive impact on health. The study highlights the possibility for non-Mediterranean populations to adopt this lifestyle using locally available products within their own cultural contexts.
Eating a Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy foods such as seafood, fresh produce, legumes, and even moderate wine consumption, is already known to reduce the risk of premature death due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, until now, little research has focused on the potential benefits of living a Mediterranean lifestyle in non-Mediterranean countries.
The study examined volunteers from the UK Biobank study who answered questions related to the Mediterranean lifestyle. It found that factors such as sufficient sleep, limited sedentary behavior, and participation in collective sports were each associated with a lower risk of premature death and death from cancer. When combined, these factors further reduced the risk of early death, cancer-related death, and death from cardiovascular disease. The study also discovered that a Mediterranean lifestyle was more effective in achieving these outcomes than a Mediterranean diet alone.
However, the study did not find a link between napping and a reduction in the odds of dying, potentially because individuals in the UK often nap due to sleep deprivation or poor health, which can increase the risk of premature death in some cases.
The study also evaluated Mediterranean dietary habits, including the consumption of healthy beverages, limited intake of sugary drinks and snacks, preference for whole-grain foods, and low salt consumption. Adhering to Mediterranean dietary habits was associated with a lower risk of death and death from cancer, as was following a Mediterranean diet based on consumption of specific food and drink categories.
It is worth noting that the study was unable to examine the role of olive oil, a crucial component of the Mediterranean diet, and participants may have overestimated the healthiness of their lifestyle.
In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that embracing a Mediterranean lifestyle, which includes socializing and maintaining healthy habits, can lead to increased longevity. By adopting elements of Mediterranean culture and incorporating them into their own lives, individuals can potentially reduce their risk of premature death and improve overall well-being.
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