'Mediterranean Diet' Cuts Heart Attack, Cancer Risk

Reuters ^ | Wed Jun 25 | Reuters

[tdadams]

A study of more than 22,000 Greeks provided further evidence on Wednesday that the "Mediterranean diet" rich in cheese, nuts and olive oil can protect against heart disease and cancer.

The study found that people who ate a Mediterranean-style diet had a 33 percent reduction in the risk of death from heart disease and a cancer death rate that was 24 percent lower compared to volunteers who ate other foods.

The diet, which varies from country to country, often includes monthly servings of meat and weekly meals of poultry, eggs and sweets.

Vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, unrefined cereals, olive oil, cheese and yogurt are eaten most days, as is fish. Wine is consumed in moderation.

Although olive oil is widely credited with many of the benefits of the diet, the research team, led by Antonia Trichopoulou of the University of Athens Medical School, found that no specific food in the diet appeared to be responsible for the improvement in health.

"Individual components may have small effects that emerge only when the components are integrated into a simple, unidimensional score," the researchers said.

In an editorial in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine (news - web sites), in which the study was published, Frank Hu of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston said specific nutrients or foods in the diet may somehow interact to reduce the risks of cancer and heart disease.

[tdadams]

I love the Mediterranean diet. I've followed it since I was in high school (without knowing it was called "the Mediterranean diet"). I also can still fit into the same jeans I wore in high school.

[Sam Cree]

Can you eat pasta? I am thinking of this diet for my wife, who doesn't do well on Atkins type diets, as she loves pasta.

[tdadams]

Yes, pasta is a big part of the traditional Mediterranean diet, although I've taken to eating less pasta than before. Everything in moderation I guess.

I think the robust flavors of the Mediterranean diet, and the fillingness of the cheese and olive oil are very satisfying and because of that I don't eat as much. I typically find ways to mix in a little bit of pasta with heaps of fresh vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese or olive oil and seasonings.

[Sam Cree]

Can you recommend any particular book? I gather that the olive oil is a key here, keeps you from getting too hungry, and probably provides needed fat.

[tdadams]

Unfortunately I can't really name a specific cookbook. I don't really use cookbooks. However, I have seen a few on Amazon.com when I got curious. I recall there seemed to be a couple that seemed very popular.

Yes, I use olive oil, feta cheese, or parmesean in almost everything.