The Mediterranean diet has long been hailed as one of the healthiest ways to eat, with its focus on vegetables, fruits, extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and minimal red meat consumption. For six consecutive years, it has been named the best overall diet by US News and World Report, endorsed by a panel of experts in nutrition, medicine, and epidemiology.
However, a recent study underscores that the Mediterranean approach to a longer and healthier life isn’t solely about what’s on your plate. It extends to encompass a complete Mediterranean lifestyle. This lifestyle, encapsulated by the Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index, is the result of a comprehensive evaluation of dietary habits and lifestyle choices.
The MEDLIFE index evaluates how closely your diet aligns with the Mediterranean diet while also considering your dining behavior, such as salt and sugar intake, and wine consumption. Beyond dietary aspects, it takes into account non-dietary factors like rest, physical activity, and social interactions.
The social aspect is intriguing – it doesn’t merely involve spending time together but rather emphasizes the conviviality and liveliness of interactions. It appears that being outgoing and socially active might have more benefits than a reserved demeanor.
The potential rewards of embracing this Mediterranean lifestyle are significant. A recent Harvard study involving the UK Biobank cohort, encompassing 110,799 participants from England, Wales, and Scotland, revealed that those who adhered to the components of the Mediterranean lifestyle experienced a 29% lower risk of premature death.
Remarkably, individuals who prioritized rest, exercise, and social interactions had a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. Surprisingly, these findings were not restricted to the Mediterranean region but were observed in the UK population analyzed using the MEDLIFE index.
Participants with higher MEDLIFE scores demonstrated a 29% decreased risk of all-cause mortality and a 28% reduced risk of cancer mortality compared to those with lower scores.
The most intriguing revelation is that the category encompassing “physical activity, rest, and social habits and conviviality” was most strongly linked to these lowered risks and was additionally associated with a diminished risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. This suggests that while dietary choices play a pivotal role in predicting longevity, how one spends their time is equally crucial.
In conclusion, the Mediterranean diet’s reputation for promoting health and longevity is well-founded, but the recent research underscores that it’s not just about what you eat. A Mediterranean lifestyle that blends wholesome dietary choices with rest, exercise, and vibrant social interactions emerges as a recipe for a longer and healthier life. Whether it’s embracing the convivial spirit of the Mediterranean or relishing a delicious piece of salmon, the elements that contribute to vitality are intertwined in both diet and lifestyle.
