The key to a long and healthy life - Mediterranean diet plus regular exercise

Researchers have produced even more evidence of the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet and regular physical activity.

A study involving almost 400,000 patients, over a five year period, by the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland, suggests that eating lots of fresh fish, fruit, vegetables and whole grains extends life expectancy.

At the start of the trial in 1995, of the study's 380,296 participants, 214,284 men and 166,012 women, aged from 51 to 70, none had a history of chronic illness; during the study period 21,541 died.

For the study the research team led by Dr. Panagiota N. Mitrou, rated the volunteers by applying a nine-point scale as to how closely they kept to the Mediterranean regime.

The diet included vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, a ratio of monounsaturated fats, alcohol and meat.

They found that those with higher scores were shown to be less likely to die in that time period of any cause, including cancer and heart disease.

A Mediterranean diet is high in healthy fats such as those found in olive oil and low in red meat and dairy products but alcohol, particularly red wine, is encouraged in moderation.

Previous studies have suggested the diet improves the flexibility of cells lining the walls of blood vessels, keeping arteries and lungs healthy.

Another study led by Dr. Michael F. Leitzmann, analyzed the results of two questionnaires on physical activity from 252,925 of the participants, 142,828 men and 110,097 women; 7,900 died during follow-up.

But the researchers found that compared with being inactive, individuals who did regular physical activity of at least 30 minutes most days of the week, were less likely to die.

Both studies use data from the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, which began when questionnaires were returned from 566,407 AARP members age 50 to 71 in six states between 1995 and 1996.

The research is published in the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.