Why is the Mediterranean diet so effective?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. A new study suggests that what you eat may influence proteins inside your cells, specifically those in the mitochondria. The Mediterranean diet — rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and legumes, while limiting red meat and processed foods — is already known to benefit heart and brain health. However, exactly how it works in the body has remained unclear. Study sheds light on what’s happening inside cells Researchers from the University of Southern California and Sapienza University of Rome found that people who closely followed the Mediterranean diet had higher levels of two mitochondrial proteins. The study involved 49 elderly patients (average age of 78) with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, a condition that increases stroke risk. These patients tend to have high oxidative stress — a condition where harmful reactive oxygen species outweigh the body’s defenses — making it easier to detect diet-related changes. Oxidative stress is linked to aging, cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. Higher protein level

Go to News Site