The New England Journal of Medicine recently published the results of its study on how a Mediterranean diet affects heart health. This study—the first major clinical trial on the subject— revealed that following a Mediterranean diet can prevent about 30 percent of major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease, in high-risk individuals.
This diet focuses on improving heart health through consumption of certain foods, rather than on losing weight. Participants in the study were either assigned to follow a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, nuts, wine, beans, fish, fruits and vegetables, or a low-fat diet. Of the participants following a Mediterranean diet, half were instructed to consume at least four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil per day, and the other half were instructed to consume atleast one ounce of walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts per day. These items were supplied. Read more
