Final answer:
The Mediterranean diet's high intake of unsaturated fats from olive oil and fish, paired with low consumption of meats and saturated fats, contributes to its association with lower heart disease rates despite being a high-fat diet.
Step-by-step explanation:
The traditional Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high consumption of fruits, vegetables, and olive oil, and a low consumption of meats and saturated fats. This diet, first highlighted for its health benefits by Ancel Keys, has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. The key to this paradox is the type of fat consumed; it's predominantly unsaturated fats, found in olive oil and fish, which have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels and heart health.
This eating pattern, also integral to Blue Zones where people live exceptionally long lives, has remained consistent throughout history, as indicated by archaeological findings such as storage jars and food residues. The diet's emphasis on fresh, whole foods and its minimal intake of animal products may explain the lower rates of cardiovascular diseases in the Mediterranean population.