Part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. iStockphoto
Part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. iStockphoto
Part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. iStockphoto
Part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. iStockphoto

Health

Mediterranean lifestyle linked to less chance of early death

Good mix of socialising, resting, exercise and diet increases chances of longer life, study suggests

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

August 16, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

New research has provided more evidence that leading a Mediterranean lifestyle could be key to living a longer and healthier life.

Making time for socialising, resting, physical activity and eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, with low sugar and salt intake, leaves people less likely to die prematurely or die from cancer.

People are also less likely to die as a result of a heart attack or stroke if they have plenty of rest and exercise, and socialise.

The new study examined data on 110,799 adults in the UK Biobank study.

People aged 45 to 70 from England, Wales and Scotland provided detailed information about their diet and lifestyle habits.

The researchers, led by academics from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the US, examined information on Mediterranean food consumption.

They also looked at Mediterranean dietary habits such as healthy drinks and limiting salt, and lifestyle habits including regular naps, exercising, and spending time with friends.

Higher total scores in these categories indicated a higher adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle, the authors said.

People involved in the study were tracked for nine years.

Eat your way to good health - in pictures

Avocados: These are high in fat with 60 per cent of this being monounsaturated fats. With a proven ability to lower cholesterol and quell hunger pangs, the avocado is arguably one of only a few perfect foods to lose weight.
Avocados: These are high in fat with 60 per cent of this being monounsaturated fats. With a proven ability to lower cholesterol and quell hunger pangs, the avocado is arguably one of only a few perfect foods to lose weight.
Chia seeds: These seeds are full of omega-3, which is essential for allowing movement of all things, including fat, from one cell to the next. In this way omega-3 is crucial for allowing you to burn fat that is already stored in your body. Chia is also fibre-rich, supporting optimal elimination, another key ingredient for weight loss. iStockphoto.com
Chia seeds: These seeds are full of omega-3, which is essential for allowing movement of all things, including fat, from one cell to the next. In this way omega-3 is crucial for allowing you to burn fat that is already stored in your body. Chia is also fibre-rich, supporting optimal elimination, another key ingredient for weight loss. iStockphoto.com
Raw cacao: One of the best weight-loss foods in the world, raw cacao is one of the richest sources of magnesium, a vital mineral for optimal functioning of numerous systems within your body, including endocrine, nervous and digestive. It also balances blood sugar, provides energy and gives your mood a boost while helping to suppress excessive appetite. iStockphoto.com
Raw cacao: One of the best weight-loss foods in the world, raw cacao is one of the richest sources of magnesium, a vital mineral for optimal functioning of numerous systems within your body, including endocrine, nervous and digestive. It also balances blood sugar, provides energy and gives your mood a boost while helping to suppress excessive appetite. iStockphoto.com
Seaweed: Seaweed is packed with minerals and extremely detoxifying, but the main ingredient here that is essential for lightness is iodine. Iodine is required by your thyroid to function properly; without iodine your thyroid becomes underactive and your metabolism suffers. Seaweeds are abundant in this mineral, especially kelp, nori and wakame, not forgetting the algaes too, such as chlorella and pirulina, which are powerful for overall health and weight loss. Courtesy iStockphoto.com
Seaweed: Seaweed is packed with minerals and extremely detoxifying, but the main ingredient here that is essential for lightness is iodine. Iodine is required by your thyroid to function properly; without iodine your thyroid becomes underactive and your metabolism suffers. Seaweeds are abundant in this mineral, especially kelp, nori and wakame, not forgetting the algaes too, such as chlorella and pirulina, which are powerful for overall health and weight loss. Courtesy iStockphoto.com
Coconut: For weight-loss, try cold-pressed coconut oil. Taking a tablespoon a day has been shown to boost the function of the liver, which speeds up fat metabolism while increasing thyroid function. iStockphoto.com
Coconut: For weight-loss, try cold-pressed coconut oil. Taking a tablespoon a day has been shown to boost the function of the liver, which speeds up fat metabolism while increasing thyroid function. iStockphoto.com
Kale: Kale is packed with nutrients that help to balance blood sugar and provide vital mineral and phytonutrient support that actively creates lightness in your body through cleansing and detoxification. iStockphoto.com
Kale: Kale is packed with nutrients that help to balance blood sugar and provide vital mineral and phytonutrient support that actively creates lightness in your body through cleansing and detoxification. iStockphoto.com
Almonds: These nuts have been clinically proven to aid weight loss among those who snack on a handful a day. The protein helps keep you feeling satisfied, meaning you crave less food, while the mineral and essential fatty acid content boosts metabolism and aids digestion of fat. iStockphoto.com
Almonds: These nuts have been clinically proven to aid weight loss among those who snack on a handful a day. The protein helps keep you feeling satisfied, meaning you crave less food, while the mineral and essential fatty acid content boosts metabolism and aids digestion of fat. iStockphoto.com

About 4,247 people died, including 2,401 from cancer and 731 from cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes.

Researchers found that people who followed a Mediterranean lifestyle were 29 per cent less likely to die early, compared to their peers who did not follow this lifestyle.

They were also 28 per cent less likely to die from cancer, according to the study, which has been published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

“This study suggests that it’s possible for non-Mediterranean populations to adopt the Mediterranean diet using locally available products, and to adopt the overall Mediterranean lifestyle within their own cultural contexts,” said lead author Mercedes Sotos Prieto, from the two universities.

“We’re seeing the transferability of the lifestyle and its positive effects on health.”

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Tomorrow 2021
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our commentary on Brexit
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
War and the virus
On Women's Day
While you're here
Transgender report
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Pandemic Parenting
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

You might also like
Transgender report
School uniforms report
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Imperial%20Island%3A%20A%20History%20of%20Empire%20in%20Modern%20Britain
%3Cp%3EAuthor%3A%20Charlotte%20Lydia%20Riley%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Bodley%20Head%3Cbr%3EPages%3A%20384%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
While you're here
Comment on Coronavirus
Read more about the coronavirus
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Read more from Kareem Shaheen
UAE currency
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Zayed Sustainability Prize
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Plastic tipping point
Tomorrow 2021
Sour%20Grapes
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAuthor%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EZakaria%20Tamer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESyracuse%20University%20Press%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E176%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ESSENTIALS

The flights 

Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Mykonos, with a flight change to its partner airline Olympic Air in Athens. Return flights cost from Dh4,105 per person, including taxes. 

Where to stay 

The modern-art-filled Ambassador hotel (myconianambassador.gr) is 15 minutes outside Mykonos Town on a hillside 500 metres from the Platis Gialos Beach, with a bus into town every 30 minutes (a taxi costs €15 [Dh66]). The Nammos and Scorpios beach clubs are a 10- to 20-minute walk (or water-taxi ride) away. All 70 rooms have a large balcony, many with a Jacuzzi, and of the 15 suites, five have a plunge pool. There’s also a private eight-bedroom villa. Double rooms cost from €240 (Dh1,063) including breakfast, out of season, and from €595 (Dh2,636) in July/August.

EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
  • Max Dowman (Arsenal)
    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
  • Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
    16 years, 30 days old
  • Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
    16 years, 68 days old
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
While you're here
Updated: August 16, 2023, 9:01 PM`
ScienceCancer