article_snippet: The Med diet: People who adopted the eating plan were 47 per cent less likely to develop heart disease over a 10 year period .
article_snippet: A Mediterranean diet is more protective against heart disease than exercise, a new study has revealed.
article_snippet: Those who stuck to A Mediterranean diet, consisting of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, olive oil, fish and even a glass of red wine were 47 per cent less likely to develop heart disease over a 10 year period.
article_snippet: Those who scored in the top-third in terms of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 47 percent less likely to develop heart disease over the 10-year follow-up period (compared to participants who scored in the bottom-third).
article_snippet: Study author, Professor Demosthenes Panagiotakos, said: 'Our study shows the Mediterranean diet is a beneficial intervention for all types of people in both genders, in all age groups, and in both healthy people and those with health conditions. '
article_snippet: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was more protective than physical activity. '
article_snippet: the Mediterranean diet also reveals the Mediterranean diet has direct benefits for heart health, in addition to the Mediterranean diet indirect benefits in managing diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure) and inflammation.
article_snippet: Because the Mediterranean diet is based on food groups that are quite common or easy to find, people around the world could easily adopt this dietary pattern and help protect people around the world against heart disease with very little cost.'
article_snippet: Earlier research has shown that following the traditional Mediterranean diet is linked to weight loss, reduced risk of diabetes, lower blood pressure and lower blood cholesterol levels, in addition to reduced risk of heart disease.
highlights_snippet: Greeks who followed the diet were 47% less likely to develop heart disease .
  