They relate to everything ‘with a lower risk of mortality

The Food Biodiversityunderstood as the variety of different species What do they form part of the dietcould play a key role in prevention of Chronic diseases and one Best longevityaccording to a study led by researchers from the ROVIRA I UNIVERSIDAD (URV) and the Pere I Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV).

The work, published in Science of the Total Environmenthas analyzed the eating habits and the Health data of more than 7,200 older peopleaged between the 60 and 80 yearswith high cardiovascular risk, to those who have followed up during an average of Six years.

Through questionnaires validated food and statistical tools Advanced, the research team evaluated the number of different species consumed by a novel indicator called Wealth of dietary species (DSR), which estimates the number of species animals and vegetables different consumed in the usual diet. Subsequently, the research group evaluated the Mortality risk depending on this indicator.

Regardless of the general quality of the diet, the researchers observed that the people who consumed a greater diversity of species presented a significantly minor to die For any reason. Specifically, for each additional species consumed regularly, the risk of general mortality was reduced in a 9%cardiovascular disease in a 7% and cancer in a 8%.

According to the main author of the study, Sangetha shyamresearcher Miguel Servet of the IISPV, “it is shown that not only the type of food we eat is important, but also the number of different species that we include in our diet. A diet More biodiverse is associated with a Better health and greater longevity“

The research team observed that this association between diet and mortality biodiversity was independent of the diet consumed. For example, Not all participants who had a good adhesion to the Mediterranean diet They consumed a diet highly diverse, and vice versa.

The authors point out that the mechanisms that can explain these associations are not known very well. As they detail, highly rich diets are animal and/or vegetable species can contain a broader range of beneficial nutrients and compoundsin addition to favoring a healthier intestinal microbiota.

The results of the study are due to the collaboration of multiple institutions and research personnel of the Consortium Predimed. The study has been led by the research group Food, nutritional, delaut and mental salut anut-dsm, recognized by the IISPV, the URV and the Biomedical Research Center of Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (Cyberbr).