Mediterranean Diet Good For The Heart?

Mediterranean diet could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, say experts.

12:52 08 September 2015

Mediterranean diet, which is uses plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, minimal processed food, and glugs of olive oil instead of sticks of butter, reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack, according to doctors.

 

Experts have suggested that instead of recommending medications to lower blood cholesterol and cut the risk cardiovascular diseases, doctors should instead advise their patients to quit smoking, eat healthily, and exercise on a regular basis.

 

Dr Aseem Malhotra, one of the doctors to present the recommendations in an editorial in the healthcare journal said: "A Mediterranean diet in moderation, with as little processed food as possible, is a cardiovascular intervention tested in randomised trials and shown to reduce CVD [cardiovascular disease] events.”

Professor Simon Capewell, vice-president of the UK Faculty of Public Health, agreed with the article’s recommendations.

 

“For most middle-aged people wishing to avoid heart disease, a healthy diet offers a far more powerful, sustainable and enjoyable plan than lifelong statin tablets.”

 

The article is the latest to praise the benefits of Mediterranean diet. It supports an article in a leading medical journal “Open Heart” that presented evidence that those concerned about heart attacks, stroke, and other health problems should adopt a high-fat Mediterranean diet.