The Moli-sani study is a large-scale prospective cohort study that was conducted in Italy to investigate the relationship between diet and health outcomes. The study was designed to assess the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the risk of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and mortality.

The study included over 24,000 participants who were recruited from the general population in the Molise region of Italy. The participants completed a food frequency questionnaire to assess their dietary habits, and were followed for an average of eight years to monitor their health outcomes.

The Mediterranean diet score was used to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to the dietary pattern. The Mediterranean diet score is based on consumption of nine components: vegetables, fruits and nuts, whole grains, legumes, fish, red and processed meats, dairy products, alcohol, and monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio.

The study found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower risk of overall mortality, as well as a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, participants with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet had a 37% lower risk of overall mortality, a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and a 23% lower risk of cancer, compared to those with low adherence to the diet.

The Moli-sani study is one of the largest and most comprehensive studies on the Mediterranean diet, and has provided strong evidence to support the health benefits of the Mediterranean dietary pattern. The study has contributed to the growing interest in the Mediterranean diet as a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote longevity.