Study Links Mediterranean Diet to Lower Multiple Sclerosis Risk in Young Nonsmokers

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting processed foods and sugars. The findings highlighted a strong correlation between higher adherence to this diet and a lower risk of MS, especially among nonsmokers. The researchers noted that no such association was observed in smokers and older individuals.

In the study titled "Mediterranean diet and risk of multiple sclerosis: A prospective cohort study," published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, the team reported that for every one-point increase in the Mediterranean Diet Score, there was a corresponding 14% reduction in the risk of developing MS after adjusting for confounding factors. This score, which ranges from zero to nine, is based on the intake of beneficial foods and less favorable options.

The analysis was conducted using data from the Swedish National March Cohort, which included the lifestyle and dietary habits of over 43,000 participants since 1997. Of the 41,428 eligible participants, 89 developed MS over a mean follow-up period of 17.6 years.

Among nonsmokers, a one-point increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet was linked to a 26% lower risk of MS. Those who strictly followed the diet had an 81% reduced risk compared to participants with the lowest adherence levels. For those aged 45 and younger, a one-point increase correlated with a 23% reduction in MS risk, while the high adherence group demonstrated a 72% lower risk relative to the low adherence group.

The researchers emphasized that these findings should be approached with caution, noting that the study's limitations include a narrow focus on a specific age group and the overall older age of participants at the study's onset. They called for further research to explore dietary habits over time and include more diverse populations, particularly taking into account genetic and environmental factors.