Heart problems could be prevented by taking a midday nap, according to a New York Times article referring to a study conducted by a team of researchers headed by Dimitrios Trichopoulos, professor of cancer prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health. The study was published in latest edition of The Archives of Internal Medicine, a bi-monthly professional medical journal published by the American Medical Association. 

In the study of more than 23,000 Greek men and women ages 20-86 researchers found that napping at least three times a week for a half-hour was associated with a significantly decreased risk of death from heart disease.

The researchers began enrolling people in the study in 1994 and monitored them for an average of more than six years.

The study suggests that the high prevalence of siestas in Mediterranean and certain Central American countries might be associated with decreased mortality from heart disease.

The results of other studies are also mentioned according to which, the low death rate from heart disease in these countries is also the result of a healthy diet, high in fiber and monounsaturated fat (found in olive oil) and low in meat and dairy products. 

Source: Athens News Agency

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