Recent research suggests that the long-applauded Mediterranean diet may lower the risk of heart disease by combating inflammation. Results of the study of more than 3,000 Greek adults aged 18 to 89 revealed that more people adhered to a traditional Mediterranean diet – that is little meat and plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and olive oil – the lower their levels of various inflammatory markers. Lead researcher Demosthenes Panagiotakos of Harokopian University, Athens, Greece, and colleagues report that the finding remained true even when differences in body mass index, physical activity, age, sex, and education were taken into consideration. Numerous recent studies have linked chronic inflammation to heart disease, thus suggesting that the Mediterranean diet may reduce heart disease risk by combating inflammation.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 10th November 2003.
