researcher at the University of Florence reviewed reviewed 12 international studies which included more than 1.5 million people for follow-up periods of three to 18 years. Sticking strictly to a Mediterranean diet rich in F&V was associated with a 9 percent drop in death from heart disease, a 13 percent reduction in incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease and a 6 percent reduction in cancer. The study is published today in the British Medical Journal Online First.