The adoption of Mediterranean diet attenuates the development of acute coronary syndromes in people with the metabolic syndrome.

"Competing interests None declared."

"AcknowledgementsThis study was supported by research grants from the Hellenic Heart Foundation (11/1999–11/2002). The authors would like to thank the physicians (field investigators) and the other specialists that coordinated this study: Dr Ê Tzioumis (Athens, Crete, Pelloponisos), Dr Í Papaioannou (Athens, Thessalia), Dr P Starvopodis (Ionian Islands), Dr L Karra (Aegean Islands), Dr D Antoniades (Macedonia), Dr G Rembelos (Aegean Islands), Dr D Markou (Athens), A Moraiti, (Athens), D Evagelou (Crete), Dr S Vellas (Attica, Hpeirous), Dr J Skoumas\(Athens), Dr M Skoumbourdis (Sterea Hellas), Dr G Zavitsanakis (Sterea Hellas), Dr A Theodorakis (Sterea Hellas), B Meidanis (Macedonia, Sterea Hellas, Thessalia), Dr S Loggos (Attica), Dr É Elefsiniotis (Athens), Dr N Marinakis (Aegean Islands), Dr G Koutsimbanis (Thrace), Dr S Zombolos (Pelloponisos)."