Longevity Briefs: Mediterranean Diet Improves Health By Changing Your Microbiome

Longevity briefs provides a short summary of a novel research, medicine, or technology that caught the attention of our researchers in Oxford, due to its potential to improve our health, wellbeing, and longevity.

Why is this research important: Aging is associated with physiological deterioration and chronic inflammation, leading to frailty. Previous research has shown that diverse gut microbiota plays an important role in healthy aging, reducing negative symptoms. However, simple probiotic supplementation proved to be insufficient for any significant positive impact, hence suggesting more drastic measures. A Mediterranean diet high in vegetables, fruits, olive oil and fish oils is linked to anti-inflammatory activity, having the potential to benefit healthy aging.

What did the researchers do: In this study, researches have administered tailored Mediterranean diet to 1200 participants aged 65-79 years in 5 European countries. They have measured body composition, metabolites concentration in blood, bone density and cognitive abilities.

Key takeaway(s) from this research: Despite specific differences between different nationals and genders, research has found evidence for improved memory, reduction of bone loss, stabilisation of arterial pressure as well as strengthening of the immune system. Findings also have shown that this diet has caused microbiome alterations, which probably explains some of those positive health effects.

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