Living a Mediterranean lifestyle is associated with a lower risk of high cholesterol, but new evidence shows it also targets the dangerous blood fat known as triglycerides.

Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death in the U.S. and recent research finds that the high triglyceride levels may be even riskier than high cholesterol.

Through an extensive review of existing research on the Mediterranean lifestyle, the authors found that many of its features contribute to positive effects on cardiovascular health, including lowering triglycerides.

Factors of the Mediterranean lifestyle that make a difference include include a high intake of monounsaturated fats (particularly olive oil), fiber, legumes, dairy, and fish, well as increased amounts of better quality sleep. However, the researchers found that one component of Mediterranean living, drinking wine, seemed to have little effect on triglycerides.

The American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism article singled out olive oil as the primary factor in reducing risk.