The polyphenols found in olive oil, a mainstay of the Mediterranean diet, may prevent Helicobacter pylori infection, which is thought to cause millions of cases of gastritis and peptic ulcer disease each year.
Recent research conducted by researchers at the University Hospital of Valme, shows that the polyphenols of olive oil extra virgin, have anti-bacterial effects against eight strains of Helicobacter pylori, three of which are even resistant to antibiotics. The researchers point out that previous studies have shown that green tea, cranberry juice and some other natural foods can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, the only bacteria that can survive in the acidic environment of the stomach and cause gastritis and ulcers gastro-duodenal.
These results open the possibility of considering extra virgin olive oil as a preventive agent of peptic ulcer or stomach cancer, but this must be confirmed by larger scale studies
Quote from lead author Romero Concepcion in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. In any case, the results of this study offer new evidence of the benefits of olive oil since its role in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease has already been widely demonstrated.
Mediterranean diet linked to low risk of lung disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mainly affects smokersand is the fifth leading cause of death. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the small airways of the lungs and leads to excessive mucus production and progressive fibrosis of the lungs.
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits, vegetables and fish can reduce the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by 50%, according to new research from Harvard University.
Indeed, a large study (42917 men between 40 and 75 years old followed for 12 years) has just compared the relative risk of COPD in men eating a Mediterranean-type diet to those eating a Western-type diet, rich in refined cereals, red meat, French fries and sweets.
It is the richness of the Mediterranean diet in antioxidants and polyphenols that seems to offer protection, the researchers write in the British Medical Journal Thorax.
This finding is consistent with previous epidemiological literature suggesting a beneficial effect of antioxidants - particularly vitamin C and, to a lesser extent, vitamin E - on COPD.
As for the Western diet, it is associated with a 356% increase in the risk of developing COPD. Researchers believe that the high-nitrite, high-glycemic load Western diet contributes to the progressive deterioration of lung function.
