A study conducted by Australia's Monash University has shown a traditional Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by as much as 30 percent. The comprehensive 10-year study of around 40,000 Melburnians targeted people 40 to 69 years of age. Migrants to Australia from Italy or Greece made up a quarter of those surveyed.

Monash University PhD student Linton Harriss told in a statement Wednesday of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

"The Mediterranean diet is characterized by higher intakes of plant foods and fish, moderate intake of wine and lower intake of animal products," Mr Harriss said.

"Foods frequently in the diet included garlic, cucumber, olive oil, salad greens, capsicum, legumes, tomato, feta and ricotta cheeses, olives, onion, watermelon, steamed fish and boiled chicken."

"The Mediterranean diet is a rich source of antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, and relatively low in saturated fats. This combination is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombotic properties that may help reduce cardiovascular disease."

The results of the study have been published in the latest American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.