Mediterranean diet slashes risk of early death more than statins and is best for the heart

A MEDITERRANEAN diet slashes the risk of an early death more than statins which cut cholesterol, a study suggests.

Heart patients who ate the most fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and olive oil saw their risk of dying young fall by 37 per cent.

3

Taking statins reduces the danger by just 18 per cent for those who have dodgy tickers, previous studies have found.

Experts now say the Government should consider handing out free fruit and veg to millions of Brits.

Around seven million in the UK live with heart disease and nearly all will be taking statins.

3

Medics say they should be encouraged to improve eating habits before being offered drugs.

A Med diet was already known to protect against illnesses such as cancer.

Results of the first major study  into the diet’s impact on cardiac patients were presented at the prestigious European Society of Cardiology Congress in Rome.

Veg had the biggest impact, with a 26 per cent fall in mortality. Fish saw 23 per cent, and fruit and olive oil 13 per cent.

RELATED STORIES

tooth fatty

NHS staff humiliate 25-stone man by telling him to go on a diet before they'd fix his 'unbearable' toothache

vegan porridge

Parents who force vegan diets on their kids could face four years in jail in Italy under new law

LEAN BUT NOT MEAN

Meet the hunks making diet and exercise fun — with a focus on happiness and positivity

MIRACLE DIET

Mum who suffered from migraines for 25 YEARS gets life back by removing TWO foods from her diet

Italian Prof Giovanni de Gaetano said: “The Mediterranean diet is more powerful than any drug at reducing death rates in patients with cardiovascular disease.

“The NHS pays for drugs  but it doesn’t pay for vegetables. The state should consider contributing towards   foods that make up the Med diet.”

Lead researcher Dr Marialaura Bonaccio said: “The major contributors to mortality risk reduction were a higher consumption of vegetables, fish, fruits, nuts and monounsaturated fatty acids – that means olive oil.”

3

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “It is good to know that even if you already have a history of cardiovascular disease, adhering to a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of death.

“This study suggests that even if you are already receiving medical care, if you add a Mediterranean diet, it will have further benefit.”

Around 17 million adults - two in every five – are already eligible for statins on the NHS, including almost all OAPs.