Dietary Methodology In Clinical Research From Blue Zone Diets To The Mediterranean Diet 

QUT Intern Carly Booth and Clinician Researcher Dr Ingrid Hickman explore the ways dietary methodologies can be measured and used in translational research.

The Blue Zone Diet, first published by journalist Dan Buettner with National Geographic, is the result of dietary similarities discovered in five locations around the world where populations live over 100 years of age. These locations, termed the Blue Zones, include Greece, California, Italy, Japan and Costa Rica. The particular populations living in these locations are typically seen to eat plant based diets rich in legumes and wholegrains and are often consumed within social settings.

"These kinds of indigenous and low processed diets are associated with longer life, healthier life and less chronic disease"

The well known Mediterranean Diet was estabished from the The Seven Countries study where health benefits are often seen. The diet is widely studied and well researched on a global scale.

Ingrid highlights how diets such as the Mediterranean Diet are used within clinical research, due to the diet's various qualities. When the diet is applied to an Australian setting, health benefits are often seen within clinical trials due to the generalised introduction of the Western diet in Australia.

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