Get Healthy Arteries with Mediterranean Cuisine

Which does the best job of protecting your heart: a Mediterranean-style diet or a low-fat plan?

Either approach is good for your health. But the Mediterranean type gives your ticker some extra protection. Here's how.

Cholesterol Buster
The Mediterranean-type diet brought cardiovascular disease risk down 15% in a recent study, versus 9% for the low-fat plan. Why the difference? The olive oil, nuts, fruits, veggies, whole grains, and fish that characterize a Mediterranean diet are chock-full of fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants -- all things your heart loves. (Here's something else your heart craves.)

And More . . .
Some other reasons that might persuade you to eat like the people living in Greece, southern Italy, and other Mediterranean Sea spots:

• Your heart could be healthier after only 3 months of it. Here's how.
• It could be a boon to your brain as well as your heart. Here's what we mean by that.
• Throw in a walk and you'll get healthy even quicker. Here's why.

So go ahead, take the first step toward the heart-healthiest diet there is. Step 1: Trade in your beef hamburgers for this delicious Mediterranean take on burgers.

Did You Know?
Whole-grain bread with olive oil makes a smart appetizer. Here's how it may help you eat less overall.

The Medi-RIVAGE study: reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors after a 3-mo intervention with a Mediterranean-type diet or a low-fat diet. Vincent-Baudry et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2005 Nov;82(5):964-971.