In a study of more than 11,000 people who had had a heart attack, Italian researchers determined that the Mediterranean diet - rich in fruit, vegetables, fish, and olive oil - can help prevent a second heart attack. People who had more butter and vegetable oils in their diet had a risk of death almost three times that of people who ate more fruits and vegetables and used olive oil.

The Mediterranean diet is considered healthy because it provides nutrients such as antioxidant vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids from fish. It has long been known to prevent first heart attacks; this is the first study to show its protective effects against a second heart attack, too.

Source: Marchioli R, report at American Heart Association meeting, Nov. 12, 2000.