Could the ancient Roman diet give you perfect teeth?

The diet of ancient Romans may have given Pompeiians perfect chompers, according to some. But does this theory have teeth, or is it just food for thought?

In 2015, archeologists used modern technology to examine the bodies of 30 ancient Pompeiians who had been entombed in lava from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Besides finding out that the victims died not from inhaling fumes but of head injuries from falling rock, they discovered that everyone they’d looked at had perfect teeth, free of tooth decay.

The Roman diet, which was high in fruits and vegetables and low in sugar, was the Pompeiian’s key to perfect teeth, according to some. And we’ve long known that sugar is the enemy of teeth — some studies even go so far as to say that sugar is the only cause of tooth decay. In fact, the average person in the 20th century was almost five times more likely than someone living in medieval times to experience dental issues.

But bioarchaeologist Kristina Killgrove, of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has stressed there wasn’t a single, uniform Roman diet, because Rome was an expansive, multicultural empire where goods, including foods, were freely exchanged among many populations. In addition, the divide between rich and poor extended to what they ate: Poorer farming classes often ate legumes, turnips, and millet, while wealthier citizens indulged in rich, exotic foods that included anything from sea urchin to giraffe meat.

Still, there were some important elements of the Roman diet that were shared by most despite differences like class, like olive oil and wheat. Pompeiians, in particular, enjoyed a solid Mediterranean diet that’s shown to be good for more than just your teeth. They often ate foods like chickpeas, lentils, cabbage stews, figs, pears, apples, and, of course, the eternal Italian staple of fresh bread. Tuna, swordfish, and bream were fish for all classes, and there were no processed sugars or high-fructose corn syrups — only the sweetness of fruit and the filling flavors of hearty breads straight from the oven. Studies show that a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and other conditions.

So if you’re looking to get healthy for more than just your teeth, eat like a Pompeiian. Your body will thank you for such a nutritious diet, even if your cavities don’t disappear.