Recent data on Mediterranean diet, cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and life expectancy

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Preventive Medicine
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• The Mediterranean diet (MD) has a long-established history of health benefits.
• Recent research has renewed interest in the preventive potential of the MD.
• This review focuses on data published in early 2014 to assess current evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and synthesize recent scientific data on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
• To confirm previously known benefits of the MD, particularly for cardiovascular health.
• To critically evaluate emerging evidence for the MD's role in diverse conditions like cancer and cognitive decline.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies published in the first half of 2014.
• Focus on confirmatory data regarding the Mediterranean diet's health effects.
• Critical evaluation of evidence for various health outcomes.

Main Results:

• Strong confirmation of the Mediterranean diet's benefits in preventing and reducing cardiovascular disorders (CVD).
• High confidence in the MD's positive impact on obesity, type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease.
• Requires critical assessment for reported benefits in cancer, pulmonary disease, and cognitive defects, including Alzheimer disease.

Conclusions:

• The Mediterranean diet's efficacy in preventing cardiovascular diseases is robustly supported by recent evidence.
• The MD is highly beneficial for metabolic health conditions.
• Further critical research is needed to validate the MD's benefits for cancer and neurological disorders.