New Study Says Mediterranean Diet Reduces Heart Disease

Here's another reason to cut out red meat and focus on fish: A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found that switching to a Mediterranean diet could cut risks of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths from heart disease by 30 percent.

The study, which ended early after five years since the results were so conclusive, tested two Mediterranean diets (one supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, and another with nuts) and a control diet. The New York Times reports that the control diet included advice on eating low-fat, although those following that diet didn't lower their fat intake by much.

The results? Of the 7,447 participants divided into three groups, there were 288 "primary-outcome events," or stroke, death, or other disease from cardiovascular issues. Of those 288, 109 were in the control group (4.4 percent), while 96 (3.8 percent of the group) were in the extra-virgin olive oil group and 83 (3.4 percent) were in the group with nut supplements.

What's included in the rest of the Mediterranean diet? Increased weekly servings of fish, legumes, and olive oil. And while commercially produced sweets aren't part of the deal, wine is fine when had with meals. We're down for all of this.