Anglo-American researchers who have been looking into the health benefits associated with traditional Mediterranean staples have recently discovered, they claim, the secret combinations that help keep us all fit and healthy.

According to the researchers the presence of olive oil and leafy salad or vegetables is the key to good health.

The combination produces nitro fatty acids which help lower blood pressure levels.

The scientific bit of research, which was part-funded by the British Heart Foundation, found that nitro fatty acids would reduce blood pressure by blocking an enzyme called epozide hydrolase. Professor Philip Eaton, from King’s College London, said that “It’s nature’s protective mechanism. If we can tap into this we could make new drugs for treating high blood pressure and preventing heart disease.”

So take advantage of this piece of good news and get preparing those Mediterranean style salads!

To get you started, here is a tried and tested classic that looks appealing, tastes great and delivers health benefits that could make you live that bit longer!

Ingredients

• 1 medium fennel bulb, diced
• ½ red onion, sliced
• 50g olives, halved
• 50g feta cheese
• 50g cannellini beans, rinsed
• 6 plumb tomatoes, sliced
• Sprinkle of sunflower seeds
• 100g mixed leaf salad – your choice
• 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp. oregano
• Black pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

Method

• Combine the fennel, olives, feta, cannellini beans, tomatoes and the salad in a bowl, and mix
• Drizzle over the olive oil and mix once more
• Drop in the sunflower seeds and the oregano, then add salt and black pepper to taste. Mix together one final time.

picture: PublicDomainPictures