The traditional Mediterranean diet has received another boost after researchers found that it can help to reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses.
Scientists at the University of Florence carried out a review of 12 international studies in which the dietary habits of more than 1.5 million people had been recorded and analysed.
The findings, which are published in the British Medical Journal, indicate that eating plenty of olive oil, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and fish was associated with a nine per cent drop in mortality, a nine per cent drop in heart disease deaths, a 13 per cent fall in the incidence of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, and a six per cent decrease in cancer.
The researchers claimed that the findings are 'clinically relevant for public health, particular for encouraging a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern'.
Professor Martin Wiseman, a spokesman for the World Cancer Research Fund, told the Daily Telegraph: 'In terms of diet, people concerned about cancer should aim to eat plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables and limit their intake of red meat, salt and energy dense foods, and the Mediterranean diet does follow this approach to healthy eating.'
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