The way to a man’s heart is through his Mediterranean stomach

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On June 15, a new study published in the online edition of the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, has found men adhering to a Mediterranean-style diet are able to maintain a healthy heartbeat and ward off coronary artery disease.

The research team led by June Dai, MD, MSc, PhD, an assistant professor in the applied health science department at Indiana University, used the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire with 276 middle-aged male twins.

The twins were used to control for genetics and other factors.

During the study the participants' heart rate variability (HRV) was monitored. If a HRV is low then the likelihood of coronary artery disease increases.

The authors concluded that increased HRV was associated with those eating a Mediterranean-style diet and therefore reduced the risk of coronary artery disease by 9-14 percent.

Past studies have also concluded that a Mediterranean-style diet also diminishes depression, cancer, heart disease, strokes, brain damage and premature death risks.

Full study, "Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated With Improved Cardiac Autonomic Function Among Middle-Aged Men: A Twin Study": http://circoutcomes.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/CIRCOUTCOMES.109.905810v1