Junk food might not be so bad for the heart

A ''Western'' diet of deep-fried food, sugary drinks, alcohol and red meat has long been viewed as a recipe for poor health and shortened life-span. But a new study suggests that, when it comes to keeping the heart ticking over, it may not be so bad after all.A study of more than 15000 people found that, though a Mediterranean diet of fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, did lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke, eating a Western diet did not increase the risk.