Study Show Links Between Oral Health and Mediterranean Diet

Extra Virgin Olive Oil Infused Diet Linked To Improved Oral Microbiome

The Mediterranean Diet which includes healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil has been linked to positive influence on oral health, according to new research.

In the realm of health and wellness, the spotlight often shines brightly on the Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its cardiovascular, weight management, and longevity benefits. However, a fascinating new study reveals that the perks of this diet extend even further, offering a protective shield for our oral health. For health enthusiasts and foodies alike, understanding the links between the Mediterranean diet, the oral microbiome, and overall oral health opens up new avenues for maintaining wellness.

New Study Links Mediterranean Diet To Reduced Oral Disease

A review article published in the Journal of Oral Microbiology found that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet “is linked to the prevention of several metabolic and chronic degenerative pathological processes, including oral diseases” and that the diet “may represent a potential player in the link between oral microbiome and oral diseases.”

The recent study in question highlights a significant reduction in oral diseases among those who adhere to the Mediterranean diet. This dietary pattern, rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and, notably, abundant in extra virgin olive oil, not only nourishes the body but also fortifies our mouths against various ailments.

What Is The Oral Microbiome?

To comprehend how the Mediterranean diet benefits oral health, it’s essential to first understand the oral microbiome. This complex community of bacteria residing in our mouths plays a crucial role in oral health. While some microbes protect our mouths, others, when allowed to flourish unchecked, can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. Thus, maintaining a balanced oral microbiome is key to preventing disease.

As explained in a report on the study in The Olive Oil Times;

The oral microbiome is the second largest and most diverse microbiome after the gut. Comprising approximately 700 species of microorganisms, it is a complex system whose equilibrium is vulnerable to changes in composition.

This system includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea (single-celled organisms such as methanogens) and protozoa (single-celled organisms such as Entamoeba gingivalis).

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is a strong correlation between oral disease, especially periodontitis, and chronic systemic diseases.

The World Health Organization further notes that poor oral health is a regular cause of pneumonia in older adults.

The authors note that the oral cavity serves as a reservoir of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium that, while ordinarily harmless, can become an opportunistic pathogen causing respiratory and sinus infections.

It is also a leading cause of death among antimicrobial- and antibiotic-resistant pathogen strains such as MRSA, a strain of Staphylococcus aureus.

How Do Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Oral Health?

One of the Mediterranean diet’s staples, extra virgin olive oil, is rich in polyphenols. These natural compounds are not just powerful antioxidants; they also possess antimicrobial properties that contribute to a balanced oral microbiome. By inhibiting harmful bacteria’s growth and encouraging beneficial ones, polyphenols help protect against gum disease, reduce inflammation, and even combat bad breath. This makes extra virgin olive oil not just a culinary delight but a potent ally for oral health.

Research has shown that polyphenols have antimicrobial effects on oral pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium linked to numerous diseases, including periodontitis, Alzheimer’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

Among patients usually prone to severe periodontitis, adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated positively with healthier oral habits, including increased tooth count and improved dental plaque removal.

What Is The Mediterranean Diet And Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Essential?

At its core, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods, healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil, and lean proteins. It’s characterized by:

• High consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
• Moderate-to-high intake of fish and poultry
• Low intake of red meat and processed foods
• A quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the primary source of fat

This dietary pattern does more than just address nutrient deficiencies; it provides a harmonious blend of foods that collectively support health, including that of our teeth and gums.

The Mediterranean diet contains numerous elements rich in polyphenols: extra virgin olive oil, which contains oleocanthal, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol; nuts, which contain proanthocyanidins; fruits, vegetables, red wine and herbs, which contain compounds such as naringenin, apigenin and kaempferol; and many others.

The Mediterranean diet is also rich in fiber, which has been shown to promote oral eubiosis, a state of equilibrium in which beneficial microbial species dominate.

The authors reference three studies in particular when discussing evidence supporting the positive effects of the Mediterranean diet on patients with periodontal inflammation compared to the Western-type diet.

The first, published in 2022, demonstrated a significant decrease in periodontal bleeding and surface inflammation in periodontal inflammatory patients after following the Mediterranean diet for six months.

These findings contrast notably with studies from 2005 and 2019, which showed an increased gingival inflammatory response in people following a Western-type diet characterized by the high consumption of refined grains and sugars.

The researchers concluded the review article by emphasizing the need to study further the link between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, oral diseases and the oral microbiome.

They also called on dentists to be more proactive in disseminating information about how diet impacts oral health:

“The dentist plays a fundamental role in promoting and disseminating the correct dietary habits based on healthy food choices among the population that, together with lifestyle, may significantly improve their general and oral health status.”

Journal of Oral Microbiology