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[Dee]

Mediterranean diet is shown to be associated with quality of life


For years the Mediterranean diet is associated with fewer diseases and increased welfare. Now a new study also linked to mental and physical health

The Mediterranean diet, characterized by the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, olive oil and nuts, has been shown to have beneficial health effects such as reduced incidence of chronic diseases and mortality.

A new study led by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and University of Navarra goes one step further and analyzes the influence of the Mediterranean diet on the quality of life in a sample of 11,000 Spanish university for four years.

“The progressive aging of the population in rich countries leads to increased interest in learning about factors that may increase the quality of life and health of the population”, explains to SINC Patricia Henriquez Sanchez, researcher and first author Canary center of work.

Dietary intake was collected at baseline and self-reported quality of life was measured at the four year period. To judge the adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed positively the consumption of vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, cereals and fish, and negatively by consumption of meat, dairy and alcohol.

The findings, published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, show that people with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet have a better score on the scales physical and mental health-related quality of life. The association is stronger for the physical quality of life.

The Mediterranean Pyramid

“The Mediterranean diet is an important factor associated with a better quality of life and can be considered as a model of healthy eating,” says Henriquez. The pyramid of this diet combines foods should be eaten daily, weekly or occasionally.

Main meals can not do without three basic elements: grains, vegetables and fruits and dairy products. In addition, you must ensure daily intake of between 1.5 and 2 liters of water. Olive oil appears as the main source of fat for its nutritional quality and recommends moderate consumption of wine or other fermented beverages.

Furthermore, fish, lean meat and eggs are sources of high quality protein of animal origin. Fish and seafood are also sources of healthy fats.

At the apex of the pyramid are the sugar, candies, cakes, pastries and sugary drinks should be eaten occasionally and in small quantities.

translated by Google from the original Spanish