Study Finds New Mediterranean Diet Benefits

In addition to its many other benefits, researchers in Scotland have found that a Mediterranean diet rich in fish, fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fats may also offer multiple benefits to sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). For a study at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Centre for Rheumatic Disease, 130 women were recruited. They ranged in age from 30 to 70 and they averaged an eight-year history with RA.

After six weeks of dietary intervention that included cooking classes and written information, the patients who followed a Mediterranean-type diet showed improvment in their scores on pain and early-morning stiffness. Over the course of six months, they also lost some weight and lowered their blood pressure.

The findings were reported in the Annals of Rhemumatic Diseases. A Mediterrean diet rich in cereals, fruits, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fish and olive oil has previously been linked to reduced heart disease in the general population.