In a Spanish study, called the PREvencio’n con Dieta MEDiterranea, with the results published in the New England Journal of Medicine….a huge number of patients, about 7000!… were thrown into three groups…without getting into the ins and outs…it seems that the group, given a half pound of free nuts every week, and a free quart of extra virgin olive oil…which meant a switch from refined Olive oil….for well a period of some four years was the only real positive. Largely because the control and other group ‘just’ hung in there! The positive outcome occurred in the nut/olive oil group…they seemed to have somewhat dramatically reduced their stroke risk just because of that one factor. Very interesting that this was a specific and so positive! It’s Nuts!
I personally advocate higher fats but good fats…as opposed to the paranoia of reducing fats (all good to reduce bad fats!) and ironically this is what has happened indirectly with this group….plus an increase in Omega 3…plus the nuts…that are good fats! plus all the nutrients entailed! The Mediterranean diet I have reviewed when comparing the Irish! One real plus, which is continuously forgotten, is in the real Mediterranean there is SUNSHINE…now there is also sunshine in Spain..but this actual exposure, and an empirical analysis is missing. BUT this factor certainly relevant when compared to overcast goomy climates like Ireland! Here the control group and other basically failing group were known cardio risks with about 50% obese and rest pre or diabetic..Thanks Michael Gregor for the pointer and good luck with “How Not To Die“!
But I believe the real kick starter: Sunshine! That combined with a REAL Mediterranean diet of primarily vegetables, as opposed to today’s Pizzas! Plus It’s Nuts!
An increase of good fats! (Which occurred in here)… that’s the magic? Bottom line…the diet with Extra Virgin Oil had a third fewer strokes, BUT the Nuts magically reduced that stroke risk to almost half! More amazing…that all three groups were a given for stroke promoting diets and disposition…so very remarkable! It’s Nuts!
