Mediterranean diet saves lives

The Mediterranean diet, consisting of olive oil, nuts, fruits, vegetables, fish and beans, is proven to be a life saver.

The Wall Street Journal reported a new study that states the Mediterranean diet cuts the risk of death by heart disease and the chance of stroke by 30 percent. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, is significantly important because it links the diet to defeating life threatening disease as opposed to just being responsible for weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol.

CNN.com explains that the study consisted of a group of people that agreed to replace the red meats in their diets with proteins like chicken and at least three servings of fish a week. More fruits and vegetables were preferred.

Of the group of participants, those who ate more extra virgin olive oil had the least amount of heart problems and a 30 percent lower risk of having a heart attack or stroke after five years.

The second successful group consisted of those who consumed a lot of nuts. They had a 28 percent less chance of having a heart attack or stroke.

Participants were between the ages of 55 and 80 and didn’t have any heart complications when they enrolled in the study. However, they were high risk due to their diabetes, smoking habits, high blood pressure, cholesterol, or family history. Many were on medication as well.