Mediterranean vs. Western Diet

Context

The lyon-diet-heart-study compared a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern against a "Prudent Western-type diet" for secondary prevention after myocardial infarction.

Dimensions of Comparison

Dimension	Mediterranean-Style Diet	Prudent Western Diet
Fat Profile	High in monounsaturated fats (olive oil), rich in alpha-linolenic-acid	Higher in saturated fats, lower in omega-3s
Food Quality	Whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables	More processed foods, refined carbohydrates
Cardiac Events	50-70% reduction in recurrent MI and cardiac death	Standard / higher event rate
Mechanism	Anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic	Pro-inflammatory, standard atherogenic progression

Verdict

The Mediterranean-style diet dramatically outperforms the prudent Western diet in secondary cardiovascular prevention, primarily through non-lipid cardioprotective pathways.