Friday, April 4, 2025

Living Longer with Olives and Oranges: How the Mediterranean Diet Helps Cancer Survivors

A recent study has shown that those who follow a Mediterranean diet after being diagnosed with various types of cancer tend to live longer and have a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases than those who do not.

Published on the 2nd in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the research revealed that the risk of early death for those adhering to a Mediterranean diet post-cancer diagnosis was reduced by 32%, and the death rate related to cardiovascular diseases was 60% lower. These benefits were observed regardless of the type of cancer.

Maria Benedetta Donati, a researcher at the Umberto Veronesi Foundation in Italy, stated in a press release that recent data supports the compelling hypothesis that various chronic diseases, including tumors and heart disease, may share common molecular mechanisms. This concept is known as common soil in medical literature, indicating a shared origin for these disorders.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and olive oil. It also recommends eating fish and seafood at least twice a week, as well as dairy and low-fat proteins in small amounts daily. It advises against red meat, processed foods, and sugary drinks.

From 2005 to 2010, the researchers recruited 800 adult cancer patients in Italy and tracked them for over 13 years. Participants provided detailed information about their dietary habits as part of the study.

Marialaura Bonaccio, the lead author of the paper and head of the Department of Epidemiology and Prevention at the IRCCS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, noted that while research has confirmed the benefits of the Mediterranean diet in preventing certain types of tumors, the advantages it might offer to individuals already diagnosed with cancer remain less understood.

Chiara Tonelli, a researcher and the chair of the Scientific Committee of the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, emphasized, “The Mediterranean Diet is mostly composed of foods such as fruit, vegetables, and olive oil, that are natural sources of antioxidant compounds, which could explain the advantage observed in terms of mortality not only from cancer but also from cardiovascular diseases, that can be reduced by diets particularly rich in these bioactive compounds.”

Hot this week

Amazon Wants TikTok—and the Race to Buy It Just Got Real

Amazon has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok as competition heats up before a potential U.S. ban on the app.

Trump Hits Allies with Major Tariffs, Says ‘Allies Often Worse Than Enemies’

Trump initiates a trade war, imposing tariffs on Northeast Asia and criticizing South Korea and Japan's auto markets for trade imbalances.

Elon Musk May Leave Trump’s Admin, and Tesla Investors Love It

Trump celebrates "Liberation Day" as Tesla shares rise amid speculation of Musk's resignation from government role, despite delivery declines.

Google Warns: North Korea’s Cyber Army Has Infiltrated Europe, and Asia Pacific May Be Next

North Korean cyber threats are expanding globally, targeting Europe and using diverse tactics to exploit job markets and fund operations.

Beyond Smartphones: Inside Xiaomi’s Offline Store and Its Vision for Expansion

Xiaomi plans to open its first store in South Korea, offering a wide range of products and improved after-sales service.

Topics

Amazon Wants TikTok—and the Race to Buy It Just Got Real

Amazon has expressed interest in acquiring TikTok as competition heats up before a potential U.S. ban on the app.

Trump Hits Allies with Major Tariffs, Says ‘Allies Often Worse Than Enemies’

Trump initiates a trade war, imposing tariffs on Northeast Asia and criticizing South Korea and Japan's auto markets for trade imbalances.

Elon Musk May Leave Trump’s Admin, and Tesla Investors Love It

Trump celebrates "Liberation Day" as Tesla shares rise amid speculation of Musk's resignation from government role, despite delivery declines.

Google Warns: North Korea’s Cyber Army Has Infiltrated Europe, and Asia Pacific May Be Next

North Korean cyber threats are expanding globally, targeting Europe and using diverse tactics to exploit job markets and fund operations.

Beyond Smartphones: Inside Xiaomi’s Offline Store and Its Vision for Expansion

Xiaomi plans to open its first store in South Korea, offering a wide range of products and improved after-sales service.

Ghibli-Style AI Images Send ChatGPT’s User Count Soaring

ChatGPT's daily users in South Korea hit 1.4 million, fueled by the new image-generation model and its viral popularity.

The ‘Dirty’ Truth About Hot Coffee on Airplanes

A flight attendant warns against ordering coffee on planes due to unsanitary water tanks and coffee pot maintenance issues.

Tesla and Nvidia Lift Nasdaq as Dow Takes a Hit

Wall Street saw mixed results, with the Dow slipping slightly while Tesla and CoreWeave stocks surged amid market uncertainty.

Related Articles