Mediterranean Diet Scores Twice wo recent studies found that a Mediterranean-style diet (a diet high in monounsaturated fats, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, fruits and vegetables and low in meat and dairy products) can be an optimal diet to treat metabolic syndrome, prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), and improve healthy longevity. The first study examined the relationship between a Mediterranean-style diet and the metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the United States and is associated with abdominal obesity, elevated blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and glucose intolerance. It is estimated that approximately 24 percent of the adult population is affected. Untreated, the metabolic syndrome can lead to the development of CVD. For this study 100 patients with the metabolic syndrome were instructed to follow a Mediterranean-style diet and encouraged to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, walnuts, whole grains, and increase their consumption of olive oil. After two years of following the diet, the patients had significantly decreased body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure and showed lower levels of glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides as compared to the control. In addition, they increased their levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.