Mediterranean Diet Shown to Ward Off Heart Attack and Stroke

About thirty percent of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease are preventable in those with high risk if they switch to a Mediterranean diet. It is a diet that is high in olive oil, nuts, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, and even allow drinking wine with meals, according to a new and large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The results of the study surprised everyone; it even ended early because the results were so clear and obvious that it was unethical to continue with five more years. The diet in the study helped those lower their risk of getting heart disease. The study didn’t look at risk factors like cholesterol and hypertension or weight but at heart attacks and strokes and death of the participant.

The study had three groups; a low-fat diet group, and two groups following the Mediterranean diet. The Mediterranean groups were given intensive support at the beginning of the study.

One of the Mediterranean groups was assigned to have four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil a day and the other to have a mixture of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts and to eat an ounce of that daily. Both groups had three servings of fruits and vegetables, eat fish three times a week as well as legumes like beans, peas and lentils. They had to eat white meat instead of red and to have seven glasses of wine a week with meals. They could not have commercially made cookies, cakes and pastries and to limit their daily consumption of dairy products and processed meats.

The group assigned to the low fat diet was able to lower their fat intake by a lot. The research showed that the Mediterranean diet was able to reduce heart disease for those at high risk, but more research would be needed.

Ready to get healthy, happy, and live life to the fullest?