Health, Microbes, and More
Another study providing evidence that the Mediterranean diet is good for the brain. In elderly dementia-free adults (mean age 80 years) - those that generally followed a Mediterranean diet (higher adherence) had a larger brain volume than those not following the Mediterranean diet, as well as more total gray and white matter volume.The difference between the groups ...continue reading "Mediterranean Diet, Brain Volume, and Aging"
More research support for extra virgin olive oil and the Mediterranean diet being associated with anti-cancer effects, In a study conducted in Spain, women supplementing their diet with extra EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) had a lower incidence of breast cancer after about 5 years. The Mediterranean diet stresses eating a lot of fruits, vegetables, seeds, ...continue reading "Olive Oil, Mediterranean Diet, and Breast Cancer"
An observational study of older adults found that the Mediterranean diet may help preserve the connections between neurons in the brain, by preserving the microstructure in the white matter of the brain. This appeared to have a strong cognitive benefit - equal up to 10 years of delayed cognitive aging in those who adhered to the ...continue reading "Mediterranean Diet May Benefit the Aging Brain"
New research finds much lower rates of endometrial cancer in women eating a Mediterranean diet. This means: fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, seeds, nuts, fish, olive oil, little meat or dairy products, and moderate alcohol. They use the term "womb cancer" in the article, but the medical term is endometrial cancer (or can be called ...continue reading "Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Risk of Endometrial Cancer"
More support for health benefits of a Mediterranean diet. Results of a study comparing brain health in groups of older people (in their 60s and 70s) suggest that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts may counter-act age-related cognitive decline (overall their cognitive test scores held steady). But the group assigned to the ...continue reading "Mediterranean Diet Good For Brain Health?"
Another study that links following the Mediterranean diet with a beneficial health effect - this time a lower risk of ischemic stroke. Unfortunately, it did not seem to lower the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. The findings were presented at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting. From Medical Xpress: Mediterranean diet may lower stroke risk, study ...continue reading "Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Stroke Risk"
Lasting benefits from lifestyle changes (Mediterranean diet and exercise). From Science Daily: Mediterranean diets have lasting health benefits The health benefits of switching to a Mediterranean style diet and upping the amount of time spent exercising for a period of just eight weeks can still be seen a year after stopping the regime, a new ...continue reading "Lasting Health Benefits From Mediterranean Diet and Exercise"
Another large study found that eating a Mediterranean diet is beneficial to health - specifically, that it is associated with a decreased risk for dementia. As much as 23% lower (compared to those who didn't eat a Mediterranean style diet)! It didn't matter if a person had a genetic risk for dementia or not - ...continue reading "A Mediterranean Style Diet Is Associated With A Lower Dementia Risk"
Say it over and over to yourself: Don't eat highly processed foods, don't eat foods with additives (e.g., emulsifiers, colors), don't eat foods/beverages with high fructose corn syrup, don't eat lots of pre-packaged foods or fast foods. Why? This kind of high fat, low-fiber Western diet (which most of us eat), is linked to lots ...continue reading "Doctors Recommend Mediterranean Style Diet For Health"
Whether one eats organic foods or non-organic foods does make difference, even when eating a healthy Mediterranean style diet. A recent study found a difference is in the amount of pesticides ingested, with much less in the organic diet. Which makes sense. A Mediterranean style diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes - ...continue reading "Pesticides and the Mediterranean Style Diet"