A new study of postmenopausal women in Brazil found higher bone mass and muscle mass in postmenopausal women who started eating a Mediterranean-style diet than in those who did not.
This way of eating involves a high intake of fruits and vegetables, grains, potatoes, olive oil and seeds, moderately high fish intake, low saturated fat, dairy and red meat consumption; and regular but moderate drinking of red wine.
The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and certain other chronic diseases and now there is evidence that it's helpful for bone and muscle health too.
I think this is really interesting and it's yet another confirmation that a diet high in 'natural' foods rather than processed foods is better for us.
The study results are being presented at the Endocrine Society's 100th annual meeting in Chicago this month and a link to an extract can be found here: