The study involved over 40,000 men and women, aged between 40 and 69 years, 24 percent of whom were native-born Mediterranean while the rest were native-born Australian. They were followed for ten years. Harriss stated that the researchers used food questionnaires to calculate participants' intake of Mediterranean foods, vegetables, fruits, and meats. "Those people in our study that were in the highest category of the Mediterranean foods pattern (i.e. most frequently consumed traditional Mediterranean foods) had a 30 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who were in the lowest category." The investigators found that a Mediterranean-style diet "may be most beneficial for persons with diabetes."

Among the study participants with diabetes, Harriss said, "Our results suggest that the Mediterranean diet may lower mortality from ischemic heart disease." The protective effect of a Mediterranean diet pattern against heart-related death was strongest in people who were free of heart disease at the outset. Nonetheless, "the Mediterranean foods pattern showed benefits whether we included or excluded people with a history of cardiovascular disease," Harriss said.
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2007

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