Mediterranean diet and All-cause mortality: A cohort of Italian men

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between diet and all-cause mortality in a cohort of Italian men from various regions of Italy. The cohort, comprising 5,049 participants from the Associazione Nazionale Alpini—a voluntary organization for former members of the Italian Alpine troops—was followed for an average of seven years. Baseline data included age, education, lifestyle habits, and diet, collected through a validated dietary questionnaire, as well as information on smoking and alcohol use. A total of 190 deaths were recorded during the follow-up period.

Multivariate analyses revealed that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with mortality. Specifically, higher consumption of vegetable fats, plant-based monounsaturated fats (MUFA), starch, and folic acid was linked to lower mortality rates. Conversely, intake of animal fats, animal-derived MUFA, and sugar showed positive associations with mortality.

This study, focusing on a homogeneous cohort with a varied intake of monounsaturated fats, supports the inverse relationship between a Mediterranean diet and mortality. It highlights the importance of the source of MUFAs in their health effects and confirms that animal-derived fats and dietary sugar are associated with increased mortality risk.