The surprising health benefit of a Mediterranean diet besides weight loss
Link found between Mediterranean diet and gum health
- A study by King's College London suggests that adopting a Mediterranean-style diet can significantly improve gum health and reduce inflammation in adults.
- Published in the Journal of Periodontology, the research involved 200 hospital patients whose dental health, blood samples, and dietary habits were assessed.
- The study found that individuals consuming a plant-rich diet, characteristic of the Mediterranean style, exhibited lower levels of inflammatory markers such as Interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein.
- Conversely, patients whose diets included more red meat and fewer plant-based foods were more prone to severe gum disease and higher inflammatory markers.
- Given that around 45 per cent of UK adults suffer from some form of gum disease, experts propose that a balanced, Mediterranean-type diet could be a beneficial factor in its prevention and management.