New study shows remarkable results for women who stick to Mediterranean diet

Mediterranean diet helps women live longer

What you probably already know: Adhering to a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes and whole grains, and light in meat and dairy has long been accepted as a healthier lifestyle. But a new study out this weekend that followed more than 25,000 healthy women for 25 years has shown dramatic results: There was a 23% reduction in mortality for those who stuck closest to the diet.

Why? The study showed that the closer women stuck to this diet, the lower their risk of early death. It’s worth noting that of the 25,315 women involved in the study, 95% of them were white. A more diverse study is clearly necessary. But few health studies of this magnitude exist that have exclusively focused on women, which makes this outcome that much more significant.

What it means: While there have been many diet fads over the years that have come and gone — red meat-heavy Atkins, low-carb South Beach — the Mediterranean diet is less of a fad because it’s simply the way people in that region have eaten for centuries. It’s also relatively simple: It emphasizes less red meat, dairy and poultry, sugar and saturated fat, and instead focuses on vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, olive oil, fresh fish and other healthier fats.

What happens now? The Cleveland Clinic has a helpful overview for those who want to shift closer to a Mediterranean diet. Americans eat three times more meat than the global average, so for us, reducing the amount of meat and cheese we consume is a good place to start. One upside, though, is that the Mediterranean diet includes wine — in moderate amounts, and usually with meals.