According to a recent study, Mediterranean diet not only prevents metabolic syndrome, but also has positive effects over individual risk factors like waist size, triglycerides levels, HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure levels and glucose metabolism.

To describe a Mediterranean diet, the dietary pattern includes consuming high amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids. It primarily includes consumption of olives and olive oils, fruits and vegetables on daily basis, whole grain cereals, and low-fat dairy products. To make it more effective, consuming fish, poultry, legumes and tree nuts every week is another factor.

An individual following the Mediterranean diet plan needs to ensure consuming lesser amounts of red meat and moderate amounts of alcohol accompanied with meals on daily basis.

Demosthenes Panagiotakos, associate professor in Biostatistics-Epidemiology of Nutrition, Department of Science of Dietetics - Nutrition, Harokopio University of Athens, and Christina-Maria Kastorini after studying the results of
50 diet surveys concluded "The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is increasing rapidly throughout the world, in parallel with the increasing incidence of diabetes and obesity, and is now considered a major public health problem".

The metabolic syndrome can directly or indirectly cause cardiovascular disease and it is also associated with personal and socio-economic burdens.

Therefore it is very important to prevent such conditions and The Mediterranean diet is known as one of the best and well-studied dietary patterns associated with lowering down the risk for cardiovascular disease and many other illnesses.