According to findings by researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Cambridge Health Alliance, a group of Midwestern firefighters reduced their risk factors for cardiovascular disease when they ate a variety of modified versions of the Mediterranean-style diet created for the study.
The Mediterranean Diet is most associated with:
• Eating primarily plant-based foods, such as:
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole Grains
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Replacing butter with health fats, such as olive oil
• Using herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor food
• Limiting red meat to only a few times per month
• Eating fish and poultry at least twice per week
• Optionally drinking red wine in moderation
While a Mediterranean Diet has been found in numerous studies to lower the risks associated with cardiovascular disease, they were most often conducted among older adults with existing medical conditions, as well as those in Mediterranean populations.
This was the first study done on young, working Americans, especially firefighters who are known to have a high prevalence of obesity and other risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Of the 780 male firefighters, there was a 35% decrease in metabolic syndrome, a condition which includes a large waistline, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. There was also a 43% lower risk of weight gain with those who followed the strictest version of the modified Mediterranean diet.
The study demonstrated that eating a healthy diet benefits people of all ages. Additionally, it showed that those who were previously at risk for cardiovascular disease can dramatically improve their health by eating a Mediterranean-style diet.
Read more about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
Sources
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/272199.php
http://www.mayoclinic.org/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801
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