Buried amidst all those intricate studies about stents and heart drugs at the American College of Cardiology conference were a few notable gems about living healthier.

For instance, the Mediterranean diet - a loosely defined concept given that 16 countries border that sea - was found to be just as good as the diet suggested by the American Heart Association for improving cardiovascular outcomes after a heart attack. But not only that, it’s also a darned good way to avoid obesity.

One study presented this weekend found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which recommends cooking with olive oil, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and drinking a little red wine, lowered the odds of becoming obese by 51 percent.

Remember that next time a large steak comes into focus.

For more on the Mediterranean diet…..
ACC abstract on the Mediterranean diet and obesity;
Abstract on AHA and Mediterranean diets;
The AHA diet recommendations;
The AHA on the Mediterranean diet;
The Mayo Clinic on the Mediterranean diet.

Hat tip to George Jordan of The Star-Ledger for pointing out the abstracts.