Metabolic syndrome succumbs to healthy Mediterranean-style diet patterns.

The Mediterranean-style diet has scored another victory in a new review of 50 previous studies. This dietary pattern is characterized by high consumption of fruit and vegetables, whole grains and olive oil along with less meat. The review found that this diet brings significant protection against metabolic syndrome, a precursor of diabetes and heart disease. People eating a Mediterranean-style diet had higher HDL ("good" cholesterol levels), lower fasting glucose levels and lower systolic blood pressures.

PositiveTip: The evidence continues to accumulate: eat more fruit and vegetables, whole grains, good oils and less meat for better health.