The Mediterranean Diet wins high marks yet again in a study which examined is effects on several measures of heart function in men. These functions are ones doctors measure. You could not do so at home. However, these functions are important to the heart’s overall health.

Good news. This is food most people like to eat.

The study population consisted of twins to eliminate genetic variations among participants affecting the findings.

The study does not attempt to explain why this diet works.

Physicians cannot tell women or other ethnic groups whether these findings apply to them because the participants were limited to male twins.

However, review the literature on the Mediterranean Diet yourself. You will see that no one has found it harmful. It is a diet which is thousands of years old. This way of eating has been found helpful in reducing risks of other serious diseases.

Medpage Today

…”Still, the mechanisms underlying the relationship are unknown. Dietary components may all potentially affect heart rate variability “through modulating sympathetic and parasympathetic activity and central thermoregulatory control,” the researchers said. (Emphasis added)

“The study was limited because it may not be generalizable to women and other ethnic groups. Also, its cross-sectional nature precludes any findings about causality.”

Source: Medpage Today, June 17, 2010

Citation: Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2010; DOI: 10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.109.905810.