Mediterranean diet: Eating a traditional Mediterranean-style diet may reduce the risk of gum disease and the systemic inflammation that fuels conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia, according to new research published in the Journal of Periodontology.
In a study of 200 adults in the United Kingdom, participants who adhered more closely to the plant-forward pattern, rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruit and olive oil, with limited red meat, had milder periodontal disease and lower blood levels of inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Those who ate more red meat and strayed from the diet showed the opposite trend.
Also Read | Mediterranean diet and exercise shown to cut diabetes risk in older adults
Experts say the findings align with a growing body of evidence connecting oral health and whole-body health. Periodontal disease and heart disease often travel together, in part because chronic gum inflammation can amplify systemic inflammation, which contributes to vascular damage and raises the risk of cognitive decline.
Andrew Freeman, a cardiologist who was not involved in the study, noted that a “true” Mediterranean pattern, one that prioritises plants and extra-virgin olive oil rather than heavy portions of meat and cheese, is linked to lower inflammatory burden across the body, which could benefit the mouth as well as the heart and brain, the CNN reported.
Luigi Nibali, a leading author and professor of periodontology at King’s College London, said that eating less of the Mediterranean diet and more red meat was linked to poorer gum health in the group studied, along with higher levels of CRP and IL-6 Conversely, a greater intake of vegetables, legumes, and dairy products was associated with lower CRP; beneficial trends also appeared for fruit and olive oil.
Researchers stress that diet isn’t the only lever. Daily brushing and flossing, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding tobacco remain foundational.
