Mediterranean Diet Linked to Reduced Heart Risks: According to a recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine, “about 30 percent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in people at high risk if they switch to a diet rich in olive oil, nuts, fish, fruits and vegetables.” The heart-healthy effects of the Mediterranean diet come as no surprise. However, the sheer magnitude of the diet’s benefits was so obvious that the study was terminated early because it was considered unethical for the researchers to continue. 

Smiling Linked to Certain Health Benefits: Various research studies point to lower stress and heart rate as some of the health benefits of smiling. Even though a full and genuine smile has been shown to affect the body in positive ways, some of the reported studies indicate that even a polite smile or forced smile may be beneficial as well.