Of all the trendy diets out there, the Mediterranean diet is one of the most proven. It’s not so much a diet as it is an eating style, and there’s no gimmick or product that you need to buy if you want to follow it. The idea is simply to eat the way people in countries along the Mediterranean Sea do. And a recent review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found it ideal for heart health.
A Mediterranean-style diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes; using olive oil as a primary fat source; and eating dairy, eggs, poultry, and fish in moderation, according to the American Heart Association, which recommends the diet. It can also include red meat, but more sparingly. Oh, and feel free to have a glass of wine with dinner (seriously). So far, studies and clinical trials on the Mediterranean diet point to a lower risk for heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, depression, and even some cancers.