Peruvian Man Napping (© Photographer: Pavalache Stelian | Agency: Dreamstime.com)

Over the years there’s been compelling evidence that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts, and olive oil works wonders for keeping a healthy heart. The people who thrive on such diets have significantly lower rates of heart disease than those who consume a lot of deep-fried foods, processed meats, refined flour, and pure sugar. Drinking wine in moderation is far healthier than drinking soda.

But it seems that there may be more to the healthy results of the Mediterranean lifestyle than just the food and wine. After a study of more than 23,000 subjects, scientists from Greece’s University of Athens Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health have found that a propensity for midday naps and siestas among Mediterranean cultures may be playing an important role in keeping people free of heart disease.

According to an article in Scientific American the researchers concluded that “those who took afternoon siestas of 30 minutes or more at least three times a week had a 37 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease than those who did not." Afternoon siestas have long been a part of daily life in Greece.

While Americans are accustomed to getting their sleep in a continuous stretch at night, quite a few Mediterranean and Latin American countries honor the midday nap or siesta. One explanation for the health benefit of a midday snooze is the relief it provides from stressful work. After a pleasant and relaxing sleep people can return to work with less chance of developing chronic stress, which has been implicated in heart disease.

If you’d like to read the article in Scientific American cited above go to: Napping May Be Good for Your Heart