Mediterranean diet, inflammation, and telomere length maintenance

In recent years the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with a reduced risk of developing multiple chronic diseases and increased life expectancy. Telomere length (TL) is recognized as a biomarker of aging, and shorter telomeres are associated with shorter lifespan and the onset of age-related chronic diseases. The rate of telomere loss is modifiable by several factors, and age-dependent telomere attrition has been shown to be accelerated by inflammation and oxidative stress. Data from observational and intervention studies indicate that a greater adherence to the MD may positively influence telomere attrition by reducing inflammatory processes. The present chapter will discuss the main findings on the effects of the MD on TL maintenance, with a particular emphasis on the role of MD in the inhibition of inflammation.