Researchers have discovered that eating the fish, olive oil, whole grains, and nuts recommended by the Mediterranean Diet could help slow down the aging process.
The Mediterranean Diet has had yet another benefit added to its long list of positive effects.
Researchers have discovered that eating the fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, whole grains, and nuts recommended by the plan could help slow down the aging process.
In reviewing data collected within the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study, a multi-institution collaboration, scientists found that among the over 45 hundred participants, those who opted for such foods had a distinct advantage when it came to holding back time.
At the ends of their chromosomes were longer telomeres, which serve as biological markers for aging.
Their job is to protect the DNA, but the shorter they get the less capable they become of performing the task.
When they become too small the body is at a higher risk of developing aging diseases and cancers.
The shrinking of telomeres typically happens every time a cell divides, but to what degree that happens is influenced in part by diet.
Previous studies have found that obesity, sugary sodas and smoking are factors that contributed to their expedited loss.
Now it appears that eating the foods found in the Mediterranean plan is associated with longer telomeres, but specifically which ones are most beneficial is as yet unknown.
