Mediterranean Diet Linked to Lower Periodontitis Severity
Adhering to a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil may help reduce the severity of periodontitis and lower systemic inflammation, according to new research from King’s College London. Patients who limited red and processed meats showed fewer inflammatory markers and healthier periodontal outcomes, reinforcing the link between nutrition and oral health.
A new cross-sectional study from King’s College London provides compelling evidence that dietary habits, specifically adherence to a Mediterranean diet, may play a significant role in periodontal health and systemic inflammation. Researchers analyzed dietary data, periodontal assessments, and serum inflammatory biomarkers from 195 patients. While more than 85% of participants were diagnosed with Stage III to IV periodontitis, striking differences emerged between those with high vs low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Patients who consumed more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and olive oil, while limiting red and processed meats, showed significantly lower severity of periodontal disease.
Serum analysis revealed that individuals with advanced periodontitis had elevated levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine associated with tissue destruction, and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Interestingly, while high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels did not strongly correlate with disease stage after adjustment for confounders, IL-6 maintained a robust association. Moreover, frequent consumption of plant-based foods was inversely related to systemic inflammatory markers.
These findings underscore the growing recognition of diet as a modifiable factor in periodontal health. The Mediterranean diet, long heralded for its cardiovascular and neuroprotective benefits, now appears to confer protective effects against periodontitis as well. Conversely, frequent red meat consumption was linked to more severe periodontal disease, echoing evidence that diets high in saturated fat and animal protein may promote oxidative stress and pathogenic microbial shifts. The study was published in the Journal of Periodontology. Click here to read more.
