Eating Healthy in the Mediterranean

While most of us are aware that the Mediterranean diet is healthier than the typical American diet, a news study out in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology s reports that the diet can have positive effects on the individual risk factors: low HDL ("good") cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and a high blood sugar rate.

As report in an article on CNN researchers looked at over half a million people from 50 previous studies on the Mediterranean diet.

They found the beneficial effects from diets rich in fruits and vegetables, olives and olive oil, low-fat dairy products and whole grain cereals.

Other healthy aspects were a moderate daily intake of alcohol with meals- mostly from red wine; eating fish, poultry or tree nuts (like walnuts or cashews) weekly; and limiting eating red meat to about twice a month.

It's the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects this creates health benefits.