# R6 | perplexity/sonar-pro | run 1

## Prompt

Summarize the main documented health effects of the Mediterranean diet in 4-5 points, with a citation for each claim.

## Response

The Mediterranean diet is consistently associated with better cardiovascular and metabolic health, lower risk of several major chronic diseases, and increased longevity. Below are 5 core, well-documented health effects, each supported by high‑quality evidence.

1. **Reduced cardiovascular disease and events (heart attack, stroke)**  
   Adherence to a Mediterranean diet lowers the incidence of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and thrombotic stroke, and has been shown in randomized trials to reduce cardiovascular events and improve survival after heart disease.[Definitions & Benefits](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4222885/)[Health Benefits Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7190876/)[Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/why-the-mediterranean-diet-works/)  

2. **Improved cardiometabolic profile and lower risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome**  
   The Mediterranean diet improves cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose, and is linked to decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic-related conditions including metabolic syndrome.[Mediterranean Diet Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6723598/)[StatPearls Overview](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557733/)[Cleveland Clinic](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16037-mediterranean-diet)  

3. **Lower incidence of certain cancers**  
   Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower overall cancer incidence and may reduce risk of specific cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer.[Definitions & Benefits](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4222885/)[Mediterranean Diet Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6723598/)[NIH Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7190876/)  

4. **Better brain and mental health (cognitive decline, dementia, depression)**  
   A Mediterranean-style eating pattern is associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, slower age‑related decline in brain function, and lower incidence of depression and other mental disorders.[Mediterranean Diet Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6723598/)[Definitions & Benefits](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4222885/)[Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/why-the-mediterranean-diet-works/)  

5. **Reduced overall mortality and increased longevity**  
   Prospective studies show convincing inverse associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and overall mortality, with large cohorts finding lower total, cardiac, and cancer mortality and longer life expectancy.[Definitions & Benefits](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4222885/)[NIH Review](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7190876/)[Harvard Gazette](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/11/why-the-mediterranean-diet-works/)  

Would you like a similarly concise list of the main dietary components that characterize the Mediterranean diet?
