The Mediterranean diet, long known to be heart-healthy, also reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that boost the risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if someone has three or more of the following five conditions: blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 mmHg, fasting blood glucose equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL, a waist measuring 35 inches or more in women and 40 inches or more in men, a HDL ("good") cholesterol under 40 in men and under 50 in women, triglycerides equal to or higher than 150 mg/dL.
To study the effect of a Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome, researchers from Greece and Italy reviewed the results of 50 published studies with a total of 534 906 participants as part of a meta-analysis - a statistical analysis of the findings of similar studies - on the Mediterranean diet.
Among their findings - the natural foods-based diet is associated with a lower risk of hikes in blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides, as well as a reduced risk of a drop in good cholesterol - all of which are risk factors in metabolic syndrome.
The Mediterranean diet is a pattern marked by daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and low-fat dairy products; weekly consumption of fish, poultry, tree nuts, and legumes; high consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, primarily from olives and olive oils; and a moderate daily consumption of wine or other alcoholic beverages, normally with meals. Red meat intake and processed foods are kept to a minimum.
Metabolic syndrome is diagnosed if someone has three or more of the following five conditions: blood pressure equal to or higher than 130/85 mmHg, fasting blood glucose equal to or higher than 100 mg/dL, a waist measuring 35 inches or more in women and 40 inches or more in men, a HDL ("good") cholesterol under 40 in men and under 50 in women, triglycerides equal to or higher than 150 mg/dL.
To study the effect of a Mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome, researchers from Greece and Italy reviewed the results of 50 published studies with a total of 534 906 participants as part of a meta-analysis - a statistical analysis of the findings of similar studies - on the Mediterranean diet.
Among their findings - the natural foods-based diet is associated with a lower risk of hikes in blood pressure, blood sugar and triglycerides, as well as a reduced risk of a drop in good cholesterol - all of which are risk factors in metabolic syndrome.
The Mediterranean diet is a pattern marked by daily consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grain cereals, and low-fat dairy products; weekly consumption of fish, poultry, tree nuts, and legumes; high consumption of monounsaturated fatty acids, primarily from olives and olive oils; and a moderate daily consumption of wine or other alcoholic beverages, normally with meals. Red meat intake and processed foods are kept to a minimum.