The Mediterranean Diet

An Italian study has found that rich people do better with the “Mediterranean diet” than poor people, if for no other reason than that it’s expensive. From CBS:

The Mediterranean diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, nuts and whole grains — has long been hailed as a heart-healthy eating plan. But new research suggests its health benefits may be limited to the rich and well-educated.

For the study, a team of Italian scientists reviewed diets, income and education level of nearly 19,000 men and women.

The investigators found the Mediterranean diet was associated with about a 60 percent lower risk of heart disease and stroke among those with higher incomes and more education. The same was not true for those with fewer resources — even though they followed a similar eating plan.

Healthy habits — such as getting regular exercise, routine check-ups, and not smoking — are more common among people with higher incomes. But the study findings held up even after the researchers accounted for these variables and others, such as marital status and body mass index (a measurement based on height and weight).

I’ve always found the description amusing because it doesn’t conform to what I’ve observed Greeks or Italians eating. Basically, what I’ve seen is that in real life they eat a lot less fish than most people on the “Mediterranean diet”, more beans, and a remarkably large amount of bread.