Sorry, but there is no single road, i.e., diet to longevity. However, while there is no universally accepted “longevity diet,” certain foods—such as extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)—are supported by scientific evidence for their role in promoting longevity when integrated into healthy dietary patterns.
No Known Longevity Diet
Recent large-scale studies and reviews agree that no single diet has been proven as the undisputed solution for longevity (5,2,4). Large-scale studies and meta-analyses consistently show that several dietary patterns—such as the Mediterranean diet, DASH, Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), and plant-based diets—are associated with increased life expectancy and healthy aging. However, no single diet is universally accepted as the “one proven diet” for longevity.
Dietary patterns rich in plant-based foods, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats (like those found in EVOO) are consistently associated with increased life expectancy and reduced risk of chronic diseases (4,5,3).
The Undisputed EVOO Way
EVOO, in particular, has been linked to longevity and improved health outcomes:
- High olive oil consumption is associated with lower risks of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease (9).
- EVOO contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds (such as polyphenols, hydroxytyrosol, and oleuropein) that contribute to cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive health, supporting healthy aging and potentially extending lifespan (8, 10,11).
- Incorporating EVOO into a balanced diet—especially when replacing saturated fats—has been shown to help maintain healthy cholesterol and glucose levels, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (11,6).
Conclusion:
While there is no single, universally proven longevity diet, integrating EVOO into a healthy, plant-rich dietary pattern is scientifically supported as a way to promote longevity and reduce the risk of age-related diseases9811.
Citations:
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9089818/
- https://gero.usc.edu/2022/04/28/valter-longo-longevity-diet/
- https://www.fondazionevalterlongo.org/en/longevity_articles/the-diet-that-helps-you-live-longer/
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00868-w
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-longevity-diet-plan-overview-2223476
- https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2018/1/olive-oil-markedly-extends-human-lifespan
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35487190/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39770880/
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/harvard-study-high-olive-oil-consumption-associated-with-longevity
- https://lifespa.com/health-topics/aging-longevity/olive-oil-autophagy-longevity/
- https://bonafurtuna.com/blogs/food-for-thought/olive-oil-the-mediterranean-diet-the-sicilian-secret-to-longevity
Answer from Perplexity: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/based-on-this-text-on-the-per-0mfRZY1MT4GwwtQWsu8iRw?utm_source=copy_output