Patient LoginIf you want to enjoy a healthy heart, you need to lose weight; and in order to do that, you need to start a low fat diet, right?
If you agree with the above statement, you’re not alone. In the US, we commonly believe that low fat foods help improve our health; helping to lower weight and thus reduce the risk of heart disease.
However, according to the experts, this may not be the case at all.
Praising the Mediterranean Diet: Harvard and the New England Journal of Medicine
In 2013, an extensive study (of nearly 7500 participants) took place over a 5 year period in Spain. The participants were divided into three groups; with one following a Mediterranean diet featuring extra-virgin olive oil, another following a Mediterranean diet featuring nuts and lastly, a control group (who consumed standard ‘low-fat’ foods).
Astonishingly, there was a 30% reduction in the occurrence of heart disease and stroke among the groups following the Mediterranean diet.
Here’s what Harvard has to say on the matter:
‘The “poor diet” of the people of the southern Mediterranean…/… proved to be much more likely to lead to lifelong good health.’
Following the Mediterranean Diet: What to Eat
Here’s just a few of the foods that feature heavily on the average Mediterranean plate.
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Nuts
- Fish
- Healthy grains
Red wine is also a key feature (though we don’t advise drinking in excess) and reduced amounts of dairy foods. The Mediterranean diet is rich in flavor; and following this way of eating seems to offer considerable health benefits, if the research is anything to go by.
Getting Started to a Healthier, Happier You
If you want to start improving the health of your heart, a great place to begin is to talk to your local cardiologist. A cardiologist will be able to give you a thorough assessment of your heart, and will also talk through your current lifestyle, offering helpful suggestions to ensure that you enjoy better health.