Regularly following a Mediterranean diet can significantly reduce the risk of gingivitis, according to researchers from King's College London, who published their findings in the Journal of Periodontology.
The study involved 200 patients who had already been diagnosed with periodontitis. They were examined by dentists and had blood tests taken.
It turned out that people who regularly consumed vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil (i.e., followed a more Mediterranean diet) had lower levels of gum inflammation (less bleeding on probing) and lower levels of a systemic inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein.
However, there was no significant effect on clinical measures of periodontitis severity (e.g., periodontal pocket depth). On the contrary, those with lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (which is characterized by the restriction of red meat and processed foods) had higher levels of inflammation.
Scientists emphasize that a simple habit of including more plant-based foods and healthy fats in your diet can not only reduce gum inflammation, but also reduce overall systemic inflammation in the body. At the same time, such a diet is also known as a means of preventing cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, making it especially valuable for maintaining health.
According to the authors, the data obtained open new perspectives in the management and as an adjunct in the treatment of periodontitis, but require further confirmation in larger and longitudinal studies.
