PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Mediterranean diet has been studied extensively for more than 60 years. It is made up primarily of fruits, vegetables, nuts and fish.
The diet has been shown to protect against heart disease and cancer, but there is one critical component of the Mediterranean diet that appears to provide tremendous protection: the use of extra virgin olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenolic compounds, the predominant fat in the Mediterranean diet that positively influences health. While it is very difficult to say which specific component of the diet has the greatest impact, extra virgin olive oil is crucial to the overall health benefits.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
