A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and olive oil—the hallmarks of the Mediterranean diet—may do more than protect the heart and brain. New research suggests it could also improve gum health and reduce gum disease.
Scientists at King’s College London studied 200 patients to explore the link between diet, inflammation, and gum disease. Participants underwent dental exams, provided blood samples, and completed detailed diet questionnaires.
The findings, published in the Journal of Periodontology, revealed a clear pattern: people who followed a Mediterranean-style diet tended to have healthier gums, while those whose diets were heavy in red meat and lacking in plant-based foods had more severe gum disease.
The team also looked at markers of inflammation in the blood, such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP).
These markers are known to rise when the body is fighting disease or stress.
Patients who ate more red meat and fewer plant-based foods had higher levels of these inflammatory markers. In contrast, those whose diets included plenty of vegetables, legumes, fruit, and healthy fats like olive oil had lower levels, suggesting their immune systems were under less strain.
The Mediterranean diet is already celebrated for lowering the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence showing that what we eat can directly affect oral health. Diet shapes the immune system and influences inflammation throughout the body.
Foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant chemicals appear to calm inflammation, while diets heavy in processed foods and red meat may fuel it.
Dr. Giuseppe Mainas, the first author and a postdoctoral researcher at King’s, explained that the study highlights the potential of a balanced diet to play a role in gum health.
He said the results suggest that the severity of gum disease, the types of food eaten, and the levels of inflammation in the body are all connected.
He believes these factors should be considered together when planning treatment for periodontitis, a serious form of gum disease.
Professor Luigi Nibali, senior author of the study, added that there is growing evidence about the role diet plays in maintaining healthy gums.
He noted that this research points to the positive effect of a nutrient-dense, plant-rich diet in improving gum health across the population. However, he emphasized that more studies are needed to understand the details and to develop personalized strategies for people at risk of gum disease.
The message is clear: adopting a Mediterranean-style diet could be a simple and natural way to not only strengthen your body against major diseases but also to keep your gums healthier for longer.
Source: KSR.
