The Mediterranean Diet and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. It also includes moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy, and small amounts of red meat. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.

A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigated the association between the Mediterranean diet and the risk of cardiovascular disease. The meta-analysis included 14 RCTs with a total of 7,407 participants. The participants were followed for an average of 4.8 years.

The results of the meta-analysis showed that the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 30% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. The diet was also associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of stroke, a 20% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes, and a 13% reduction in the risk of all-cause mortality.

The findings of this meta-analysis provide strong evidence that the Mediterranean diet can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The diet is also associated with a reduced risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. If you are looking for a healthy diet to improve your overall health, the Mediterranean diet is a great option.

Here are some of the numerical data from the study:

• The relative risk of cardiovascular disease for participants who followed the Mediterranean diet was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.57-0.87).
• The relative risk of stroke was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.61-0.97).
• The relative risk of type 2 diabetes was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.67-0.95).
• The relative risk of all-cause mortality was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77-0.99).

The study also found that the Mediterranean diet was more effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with a high risk of the disease. For example, the relative risk of cardiovascular disease was 0.57 (95% CI, 0.42-0.78) in people with a history of heart disease.

The Mediterranean diet is a healthy and delicious way to eat. It is rich in nutrients that are beneficial for heart health, such as antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats. If you are looking for a way to improve your overall health, the Mediterranean diet is a great option.