In this dissertation various aspects of the Roman economy and of Roman society related to food are reconstructed based on an interdisciplinary approach. The study focuses on the city of Rome in the... Show moreIn this dissertation various aspects of the Roman economy and of Roman society related to food are reconstructed based on an interdisciplinary approach. The study focuses on the city of Rome in the period between the 2nd century BCE and the beginning of the 4th century CE. First of all, the food culture and eating habits of the Romans are reconstructed. Subsequently, the food supply chain is investigated, and the role of the state and that of the free market in obtaining food are clarified. A comparative historical solution is proposed to reconstruct the food baskets of various income groups in Roman society, together with the costs of such baskets. Eventually, the value of the food annually consumed in Rome is calculated. Many historians interested in the ancient economy believe that most of Rome’s population struggled for survival on a monotonous and nutritionally inadequate diet. This thesis shows that such view is inconsistent with the available sources. The eating patterns of the inhabitants of ancient Rome were rather diversified, and food choices were mainly linked to income. In addition, broadly accepted figures regarding the size of the Roman economy are underestimated. Show less
Introduction: The ageing process can be influenced by different dietary patterns and dietary factors.Aim: To analyse the association of dietary factors, which include the Mediterranean diet... Show moreIntroduction: The ageing process can be influenced by different dietary patterns and dietary factors.Aim: To analyse the association of dietary factors, which include the Mediterranean diet adherence, the compliance with the "Sociedad Espanola de Nutricion Comunitaria" food portion recommendations, and the intake of different food groups, with the secreted form of the alpha-Klotho gene (S-Klotho as an anti-ageing marker) in middle-aged sedentary adults.Methods: A total of 74 (39 women) middle-aged sedentary adults participated in the study. Dietary factors were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire and the PREDIMED questionnaire. The S-Klotho plasma levels were measured using a soluble alpha-Klotho ELISA assay kit.Results: We observed: (i) a negative association between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the S-Klotho plasma levels (beta = - 53.219; R-2 = 0.078; P = 0.020), (ii) a higher intake of wine (> 7 glasses/week), was associated with lower S-Klotho plasma levels (P = 0.039), and (iii) a positive association between nuts portion intake and the S-Klotho plasma levels (beta = 26.087; R-2 = 0.070; P = 0.029). All the associations disappeared after controlling for lean mass index (LMI) (all P > 0.05).Conclusion: Our study suggests that, although dietary factors could be related to S-Klotho plasma levels in middle-aged sedentary adults, LMI is the main determinant in this regard. Show less
