A Mediterranean diet could help with heart-related problems

Eating foods similar to those in a Mediterranean diet can reduce heart attacks by 30per cent, says study

17:21 26 February 2013

Researchers have found that by switching our food intake to mirror that of a Mediterranean-type diet, it could be beneficial to our health. A new study claims that on average around one third of people may be less prone to heart attacks as a result of the diet.

The results, which are published on the internet in the New England Journal of Medicine, reflect that 30per cent of people could be less likely to be affected by health problems including heart attacks as well as strokes.

 

Up to 7,500 people took part in the study, both male and female, who were all over the age of 55 years old. The participants were urged to follow the Mediterranean diet which consists of fish, fruit, nuts and vegetables as well as more ‘healthy’ fats (like those in olive oil).

 

The individuals were guided to eat less red meat and to replace this with things like white meat.

 

The research, which was led by Doctor Ramon Estruch, who is a professor at Barcelona University, lasted for nearly half a decade.

 

Professor Rachel Johnson, who is from the American Heart Association, confessed she was impressed with the findings. She said: “They did not look at risk factors like cholesterol or hypertension or weight. They looked at heart attacks and strokes and deaths. At the end of the day, that is what really matters.”

 

It may seem that prevention is the best method when it comes to our health, although we should all aim to eat healthily and exercise regularly.