HEARTY EATING

How the Mediterranean diet helps Spaniards live so long

NUTRIENTS and chemicals in the Mediterranean diet drastically improve heart and lung health, according to a new study.

And it could be the reason behind Spain’s rich history of people

Building blocks

THE new care home at the old Rooke site that was put together like Lego from modules built in China is nearly ready just a month after building started.

Workers are putting the finishing touches to the building, with the government wanting it to replace Mount Alvernia.

A Chinese company shipped in the 200 prefabricated units on the merchant vessel ‘Great Faith’ on January 11.

Trucks transported the prefabricated modules at night over that week to prevent as much disruption as possible along the usually busy Queensway.

“It is important to bear in mind that the beneficiaries of this project will be many of

By Anthony Piovesan

person. The Food Research International study looked at elderly Mediterraneans and how certain substances called microbial phenolic metabolites (MPM) in a diet involving a high intake of nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and moderate quantities of wine was linked to improved cardiovascular health.

In Spain, 7,447 participants were recruited between October 2003 and December 2010, for the study. Spain currently has the oldest living person following the death of French nun Lucile Randon, at the age of 118.

Maria Branyas Morera, who lives in Catalunya, at the ripe age of 115 now holds the title. She is one of nine Spaniards in the top 100 of people who have been the oldest in the world.

Catalan