Close to 47,994 women and 25,745 men were investigated in a follow-up study that spanned from 1998 to 2010. "A 20-percentile increase in diet scores (indicating an improved quality of diet) was significantly associated with a reduction in total mortality of 8 to 17% with the use of the three diet score," noted the study. As per the investigation - that used the Alternate Healthy Eating Index and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet indexes - a 7 to 15% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease was also monitored in the participants.
Experts used three different index scores to study the results - the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score; the Alternate Healthy Eating Index score and the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score. Those who maintained a high-quality diet for the 12-year period exhibited 14-9% reduced risk of death as measured through different index scores.
The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and encouraged people to start making relevant dietary changes to move on to a healthier lifestyle. Diet plays a major role in ensuring ideal health, though no two people can attain optimum health by following the same pattern, optimum knowledge about the body type and a tailor-made diet and fitness plan can go a long way in ensuring a disease-free, fit life.
