Mediterranean diet associated with 23% reduction in mortality, study finds

The Mediterranean diet has long been regarded as a heart-healthy option, but a new study has found the diet may help lower the risk of death.

For the study, published in JAMA Network Open Friday, researchers examined 25,315 women over 25 years, finding a higher adherence to the diet was associated with a 23% reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Decreased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality were also noted.

A Mediterranean diet, patterned on the traditional cuisines of the region, emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, legumes, nuts and whole grains.

A study last year found the diet could help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in women by 24%, though it was a meta-analysis of that looked at 16 prior studies.

The latest study did have some limitations, however, including a lack of racial and ethnic diversity. Participants were middle aged and older, well-educated females who were predominantly (just over 94%) self-reported as white. This may limit the generalizability of the findings, the authors note. 

Dietary adherence was also assessed through food questionnaires, which could have contained misclassifications. 

Sara Moniuszko