A large population-based study of more than 20,000 healthy Greek adults aged 20-86 years confirms what smaller studies have suggested -- a diet primarily composed of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, olive oil, beans, and moderate consumption of wine can help people lead longer and healthier lives.

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Athens in Greece and from Harvard University in Boston, followed 23,349 men and women without an history of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes for about 8 years and looked at the relationship between diet and mortality. Investigators collected data on dozens of factors that are commonly associated with mortality such as weight, exercise frequency, and smoking as well as information about types of foods consumed, frequency of consumption, and amount consumed.

After adjusting for a number of factors that are associated with increased mortality risks independent of diet (e.g. smoking), the investiagtors noted a substantially decreased risk of mortality among people who ate mostly fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and beans whom also drank alcohol frequently but in moderation.  Results of the study were published online this week by the British Medical Journal.

Living the Science Recommended Resources:  
The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: A Delicious Alternative for Lifelong Health