An updated version of the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid includes general recommendations for foods, drinks, and exercise.

The recent report, published in the British Medical Journal and authored by Antonia Trichopoulou, M.D., Ph.D., University of Athens Medical School, and Dimitrios Trichopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard School of Public Health, followed 23,349 Greek men and women for a mean of 8.5 years.

Key components of the tried-and-true diet as identified by the investigators include:

* High consumption of vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and beans
* Low consumption of meat and meat products
* Moderate consumption of wine (with meals).

Mediterranean Diet Update The Saturday Evening Post