Published on June 3rd, 2013 | by VRP Staff
More Evidence to Support the Mediterranean Diet in Cardiovascular Disease
The New England Journal of Medicine published more research supporting the protective effect of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by increased intake of vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, olives and olive oil along with some cheese, yogurt, fish, poultry and wine, with only small amounts of red meat, eggs and sweets.
The investigators assigned 7,447 adults between 55 and 80 years of age at high cardiovascular risk, but without cardiovascular disease, to one of three diets. The diets included:
- Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil
- Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts
- Control diet with advice to reduce dietary fat
The researchers identified 288 cases of major cardiovascular events among the subjects. The investigators found that among the subjects assigned to the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, the risk of major cardiovascular event was reduced by 30 percent compared to the subjects on the control diet. Additionally, the subjects assigned to the Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts showed a 28 percent decrease in the risk of major cardiovascular events compared to the subjects assigned to the control diet.
The study authors concluded, “Among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events.”
Reference:
Estruch R, et al. N Engl J Med. 2013 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print.]
http://www.wholehealthinsider.com/heart-health/more-evidence-to-support-the-mediterranean-diet-in-cardiovascular-disease/
