The Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED) study is one of the most well-known studies to examine the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health.7 This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine after tracking more than 7,000 Spanish participants over the age of 55 with no cardiovascular disease, but with a history of health risk factors.
The Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED) study is one of the most well-known studies to examine the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health.7 This study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine after tracking more than 7,000 Spanish participants over the age of 55 with no cardiovascular disease, but with a history of health risk factors. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups—two intervention groups and one control group. The intervention groups followed a Mediterranean diet, one of which was provided with free olive oil; the other group was provided with free mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts). The control group was not given any supplemental foods; instead, this group was advised to reduce their fat intake. Diets for all three groups were not calorie controlled. Over the course of the five-year study period, the Mediterranean diet groups had a 30% lower relative risk of major cardiovascular events compared with the control group.