Blood metabolite signature linked to lower mortality risk

Researchers from the University of Navarra and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health have identified a biological marker in the blood that can predict mortality risk associated with adherence to a Mediterranean diet. The study, which involved over 14,500 participants from Spain and the United States, utilized a pattern of 67 metabolites—small molecules produced during food processing—to assess dietary habits.

By using these metabolites, scientists can bypass the inaccuracies of self-reported dietary questionnaires, which often rely on imperfect human memory. The research focused on a signature primarily composed of lipids, many of which reflect the consumption of staples such as olive oil, nuts, and fish.

Following a long-term analysis, researchers found that individuals in the highest third of the metabolite signature scores had a 23 percent lower risk of death compared to those in the lowest third. This correlation remained significant even after adjusting for variables such as age, smoking status, and body mass index.