Mediterranean-style diets -- ones rich in fruits, vegetables, olive and canola oils, nuts, red wine and fish and low in red meat and saturated fats -- have been linked in population studies to many potential health benefits. Here are some examples.

2002: A 12-year study of more than 42,000 males who adhered to either a Western diet (plenty of red and processed meat, refined grains, fries, high-fat dairy products and sugary desserts) or a Mediterranean-type diet found that the latter was linked to an almost halved risk of Type 2 diabetes.

2004: A 12-year study of 2,339 people from 11 European countries found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced rates of cardiovascular disease and a 23% lower risk of death from any cause.

2004: Data from a multiyear study of 141,988 men and 336,052 women from 10 European countries found a link between nut and seed intake and reduced colon cancer in women.

2005: A study of the same population found that high fish intake reduced the risk of colon cancer in men and women. Increased red and processed meats raised cancer risk.

2004: In the same population, eating more fruits decreased the risk of lung cancer.

2006: A four-year New York study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that people who stuck to a Mediterranean diet most closely had a 40% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those who did not.

2007: A study of 785 men and women found that greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet was associated with a lower chance of having at least one of the following: hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes or obesity.

2009: A Mediterranean diet plus exercise reduced the risk of Alzheimer's by 35% to 44% in a study of 1,880 men and women.