According to a study published in the journal BMJ, Mediterranean and low-fat dietary programmes reduce the likelihood of death and heart attack in patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The study, led by an international team of researchers, showed that the Mediterranean and low-fat dietary programmes reduce the risk of mortality and non-fatal myocardial infarction in people at increased cardiovascular risk".

According to a review of 48 trials with 35,548 participants, Mediterranean diet programmes were more effective than minimal intervention at preventing all-cause mortality (17 fewer deaths per 1,000 over five years), non-fatal heart attacks (17 fewer per 1,000), and stroke (seven fewer per 1,000) for patients at intermediate risk of cardiovascular disease.

With moderate certainty, low-fat programmes were also better than minimal intervention in preventing all-cause mortality (nine fewer deaths per 1,000) as well as non-fatal heart attacks (seven fewer per 1,000).

For patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease, the absolute effects of both the Mediterranean and low-fat programmes were more pronounced (36 fewer all-cause deaths per 1,000 and 39 fewer cardiovascular deaths per 1,000 among those that followed the Mediterranean dietary programme over five years). When compared to minimal intervention, which is frequently supported by evidence of low to moderate certainty, the five other dietary programmes typically had little to no impact. 

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1065818 )