According to an article published in the British Medical Journaland widely reported by CNN in early December, those who regularly eat a Mediterranean diet rich in polyphenols and anti-inflammatory compounds have longer telomeres and may live longer than those who don’t.* Researchers utilized data from 4,676 middle-aged participants in the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study, which began enrolling subjects in 1976. Dietary questionnaires completed in 1980 were scored for adherence to a Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by a high intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, grains, and olive oil. Blood samples collected from 1989 to 1990 were analyzed for white blood cell telomere length. Telomeres, which cap the ends of chromosomes, get shorter every time a cell divides, so their length is thought to be a measure of a cell’s aging. Stress and inflammation may also shorten people’s telomeres, the researchers said in the study. “Our findings showed that healthy eating, overall, was associated with longer telomeres,” reported lead author Marta Crous-Bou, a postdoctoral fellow in the Channing Division of Network Medicine. “However, the strongest association was observed among women who adhered to the Mediterranean diet.” Telomeres have been the subject of a significant amount of recent research. Longer telomeres have been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases and increased life span. LifeExtension (BMJ. 2014;349:
667)
