Women Can Stay Young By Following A Mediterranean Diet -study shows.

Women who adhered closely to a Mediterranean diet (emphasizing vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, legumes, fish, and monounsaturated fats, plus moderate alcohol intake) had longer telomeres after adjustment for characteristics likely to influence telomere length, including age, body mass index, smoking history, and exercise.

The authors calculated that the difference in telomere length among women who were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet could translate into an average gain of about 4.5 years of life, roughly comparable to the difference between nonsmokers and smokers or being highly active and less active. “Our results,” they conclude, “further support the benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet for promoting health and longevity.”

BMJ