The Mediterranean Diet Could Help 'Healthy Aging,' Study Suggests

A study in Gut suggests a Mediterranean diet could yield benefits for older adults within just one year by boosting levels of "good" bacteria in the gut while decreasing "bad" bacteria concentrations, reports USA Today . The researchers looked at 612 people 65 to 79 years old in five European countries who adhered to a Mediterranean diet regimen, and experienced slowdown in the loss of gut bacteria diversity, along with a boost in bacteria associated with better brain function. Those older adults also exhibited more indicators of less frailty like grip strength and walking speed, and reduced production of harmful inflammation. Consumers of Mediterranean diets also had more bacteria tied to production of short chain fatty acids, which can significantly help maintain health and ward off disease, while concentrations of bacteria associated with certain bile acids connected to cancer and other adverse effects declined. The "good" bacteria generated by study participants also functioned as "keystone" species in their guts, increasing the stability of the gut microbiome and lowering "bad" bacteria levels. Age and weight did not impact the outcomes, and changes in bacteria appeared to be consistent as diet changed regardless of subjects' nationality.