Mediterranean diet boosts gut bacteria linked to healthy aging

There's no question that the Mediterranean diet -which emphasizes building meals around plant-based foods including vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains - has numerous health benefits. Studies have shown it can facilitate weight loss and help prevent heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and other health conditions. If these weren't enough reasons to prompt organizations to incorporate these foods into meal-planning, a new study has found a connection between one version of the diet, consumed over a year, and healthy aging.