The Mediterranean diet is known for its health benefits, reducing the risk of everything, from heart disease to certain forms of cancer – and now, a new study shows that it helps in better gum health.

Our teeth and gums have a significant impact on our overall health. Ulitis, also known as periodontal disease, has been associated with chronic inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature birth, Euronews notes.

Researchers found that the British who did not follow the Mediterranean diet tended to have more severe gingivitis, especially if they ate too much red meat. They also had higher levels of protein associated with inflammation.

In the meantime, people whose eating habits were very much resembled the Mediterranean diet-rich in nutrients and rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes and olive oil-had lower levels of these inflammatory markers, known as IL-6 (IL-6).

“Our findings suggest that a balanced, Mediterranean diet could potentially reduce gingivitis and systemic inflammation,” Giuseppe Mainas, one of the authors of the study and researcher at King’s College London, said in a statement.

The study, published in the Journal of Periodontology, included 195 hospital patients in the United Kingdom. They underwent dental tests, blood samples were taken and asked about their diet.

It is the latest study that detects the health benefits associated with Mediterranean diet, which include better heart health, sleep quality and mental health, as well as lower risks than type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

The Mediterranean diet is known for its anti -inflammatory properties, which may explain why it seems to play a role in oral health, the researchers said.

Mainas said that the apparent relationship between diet, inflammation and health of the gums “should be holistic” when doctors cure patients with gingivitis.

It is estimated that one billion people worldwide are affected by gingivitis, with poor oral hygiene and smoking being the key risk factors, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Luigi Nibali, one of the authors of the study and professor of periodontology at King’s College London, said the new findings contribute to “popups about the role that a balanced diet in maintaining good health can have.

But in a statement, he added that “more research is needed to develop personalized approaches that will help people manage the health of their gums”.