Another scientific study is added to the long list of conclusions that, eventually, we are what we eat. Immaculata De Vivo, an Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the Harvard Medical School, who observes the link between biological markers and disease susceptibility, carried out a study which shows that adherence to the Mediterranean diet increases likelihood of healthy ageing. The results which were published in the British Medical Journal are based on the study of telomeres, the repetitive DNA sequences at the ends of our chromosomes.

Telomeres have been compared with the plastic tips on shoelaces, because they protect the physical integrity of the chromosome. The length of telomeres defines their quality. Even in healthy people, telomeres shorten with age, but fruits, vegetables, and nuts have well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which decelerate telomere attrition. On the contrary, smoking, excessive weight and sugar can prematurely shorten a person's telomeres. Therefore, the study concludes that telomere length may be partially explained by lifestyle practices, including dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean type.

Greek News Agenda: Mediterranean Diet linked to longevity & CNN: This diet could lengthen life & Harvard Gazette: Mediterranean diet has marked impact on aging