What is the Mediterranean diet and its effects on cardiovascular disease?
The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that emphasizes the consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil, while limiting the consumption of red and processed meats, dairy products, and added sugars. It has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease, including reducing the risk of stroke and ischemic heart disease, as evidenced by the PREDIMED study which showed that a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the risk of a major cardiovascular event by 30%. Other studies have also demonstrated that salt reduction is associated with a reduction in hypertension and cardiovascular disease. 