Mediterranean Diet plan is said to be heart healthy. What do you think? I think you may be right. We will be looking at the history and the food list in this Mediterranean Diet Review. Learning if this is a unhealthy or a healthy diet is what we will accomplish here today. Ready?
Wiki-Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean Diet is a diet that is inspired by the eating habits of Greece, Southern Italy and Spain in the 1940s and 1950s. The principal aspects of this diet include, proportionaly high consumption of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits and vegetables.
Moderate to high consumption of fish, dairy products (mostly cheese and yogurt), wine, and low consumption of non-fish meat products.
There is some evidence that the Mediterranean diet lowers tha risk of heart disease and early death. Olive oil may be the main health-promoting component of the diet.
There is early evidence that regular consumption of olive oil may lower all-cause mortality. Also, the risk of cancer, cardoivascular disease, neurodegeneration and several chronic diseases.
In 2013 UNESCO added the Mediterrnean diet to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of Italy (promoter), a, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus and Croatia.
It was chosen because “The Mediterranean diet involves a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols, and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking and particularly the sharing and consumption of food”
Health Effects
A review in 2016 found similar weight loss as other diets. In 2017 evidence of a decreased riisk of early death was found.
Dietary factors may be only part of the reason for health benefits gained by certain Mediterranean cultures. Physically active lifestyle, lower body mass index, cessation of smoking and moderate alcohol consumption may also contribute.
Heart disease
A 2013 Cochrane review found limited evidence that a Mediterranean diet favorably affects cardiovascular risk factors. A meta analysis in 2013 compared Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, low-glycemic index, low carbohydrate, high fiber, and high protein with control diets.
The research concluded that Mediterranean diet, low-glycemic index, and high protein diets are effective in improving markers of risk for cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. There was limited information for an effect of vegetarian diets on glycemic control and lipid levels unrelated to weight loss.
However concerns have been raised about the quality of previously performed systematic reviews and meta-anayses examining the impact of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular risk factors.
Newer reviews have reached similar conclutions about the ability of a Mediterranean Diet improving cardiovascular risk factors.
The Mediterranean diet is often cited as beneficial for being low in saturated fat and high in monosaturated fat and dietary fiber.
One of the main explanations is thought to be the health effects of olive oil included in the diet.Olive oil contains monosaturated fat, most notable oleic acid which is under clinical research for potential health benefits.
The European Food safety Authority Panel on Dietetic Products Nutrition and Alergies approved health claims of olive oil, for protection by its polphenols against oxidationof blood lipids and for the contribution to the maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol levelsby replacing saturated fats in the diet with oleic acid.
Diabetes
Two meta-analysis in 2014 found that Mediterranean diet was associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Cancer
In 2008 a meta-analysis found that strictly following the diet reduced the risk of dying from cancer 6%. A 2017 review found a decreased rate of cancer.
In 2007 a systematic review and meta-analysis found adherence to the Medeteranean diet was associated with a decrease risk of death from cancer.
There is preliminary evidence that regular consumption of olive oil may lower the risk of developing cancer.
Cognitive Ability
A 2016 systematic review found a relation between greater adherence to a Mediterranean diet and better cognative performance, it is unclear if the relationship is casual.
According to a 2013 systemic review, greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is correlated to lower risk of Alzheimers disease and slower cognitive decline.
Another 2013 review reached similar conclusions, finding a negative association with the risk of progressing from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s.
But they also acknowledged that only a small number of studies had been done on this topic.
Gluten
As the Meditterrenean diet usually includes products containing gluten, like pasta and bread, increasing the use of the diet may have contributed to the growing rate of gluten related disorders.
History
The concept of this diet was developed to reflect “food patterns of Crete, much of the rest of Greece and southern Italy in the early 1960s”.
Although the diet was not publicized until 1975, by biologist Ancel Keys and his wife (and collaborator) Margaret Keys, the Mediterranean diet failed to gain widespread recognition until th 1990s.
Objective data showing that the diet is healthful, came the results of a epidemiological studies in Madrid and Naples. Confirmed later by the Seven Countries study, with the first publication in 1970 and a book-length report in 1980.
The most commonly understood version of the Mediterranean diet was presented, among others, by Walter Willett of Harvard University School of Public Health from the mid-1990s and on.
The diet is based on what from the point of view of mainstream nutrition is considerd a paradox: although people living in Mediterranean countries tend to consume a relatively high amout of fat, they enjoy far lower rates of cardiovascular disease than in countries like the US, where similar levels of fat are consumed. A parallel known as the French Paradox.
Mediterranean Diet Foods List
Quite a bit to eat here:
Fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, herbs and of course olive oil containing the needed fats and the right fats. These are the main foods of the diet and should be in every meal. The whole grains includes bread and pasta.
Seafood and fish important sources of protein.Fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, sardines are rich in omega-3, shellfish would include clams, oysters, mussels and shrimp. You will be eating these twice a week.
Cheese, poultry, yogurt and eggs are consumed regularily but in small quanities.Several times a week is the generally stated frequency.
Sweets and meats are consumed sometimes. If you are going to eat meat use the leanest cuts you can. Generally you should look for flank, strip, t-bone, round and tenderloins. Sweets are more for a celebration.
Water and Wine, water should be your go to drink. It is the best thing to drink on this planet. Although some will say wine is the best. You can drink up to one glass of wine per day. Red wine.
Not a food but still tenent of this diet and it should be with all eating plans. Don’t you agree?
Daily physical activity, important in weight loss and healthy lifestyle.
You can add activity to you day by doing some simple changes taking the stairs, walking, park farther away in the lot. I have written an article on walking click here for more information no charge!!
The Mediterranean Diet also says that you should take your meals in a social setting. I dont think they mean Facebook or Twitter or Snapchat, Right?
A Little More
There are 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean sea. Each of these contiries will add or take away thing in their Meditterrenean diets. But thay all follow to general diet principals of the Metterrenean dite we have talked about today.
The diet principals say processed food is ok on a very limit basis.Although you will be better off without it, i’m sure.
The Mediterranean Diet is said to make you healther, and may also, help you lower risk of Alzheimers, raise your mood, improve your skin, lose weight, fight inflammation, and lower your risk of cancer.
Not sure about that, healthy yes i believe and raising your mood, if you are eating right and getting more physical activity you will have an elevated mood. Which you can accomplish with out this diet. Cancer and Alzheimers are a stretch I believe.
Mediterranean Diet Review Conclusion
I think this is best, most do able diet that we have looked at to date. The foods that are on this diet and the physical activity that should be done.
Following this diet and doing the physical activies and eating as described, you will lose weight and elevate your mood.
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Remember portion control in all manners
Thanks visiting, taking time out of your busy day. You may reach me by leaving a comment below.
Here are some links you may want to use. These are other related articles.
Vegetarian Diet Review, Click here, Vegan Diet review, click here
Review Paleo Diet, Read here
I’m of Greek heritage and my grandparents were not taking tablets to control their blood pressure or cholesterol levels because their diet was predominantly built on, as you say, legumes, vegetables, fruit and olive oil. On the latter may I add that not just your ordinary olive oil, but your cold pressed extra virgin olive oil….the smell and taste is absolutely unbelievable. I was fortunate to trial such pure gold!
I’ve been raised on this Mediterranean diet by my parents and have continued this tradition with my own family and not sure if it’s a healthy balanced diet as you have stated in your post, or just genetics, but no drugs here to control 21st century issues!
Best regards
Gina
Thank you Gina. I believe the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest one I have reviewed. Thank you for sharing your personal story, it is inspiring.
Hello there! What a great site! I wish those in first world countries could really see that their diet is affecting their health adversely. So much disease runs rampant and in children. The Mediterranean diet and even tribal simple diets of the world give the most health.
Simple natural ingredients, simply prepared, lots of fruits, vegetables, good oils and fats is it. Meat that actually lives free and eats well versus factory farmed tortured animals makes a huge difference in our health too.
When people start demanding real food instead of gmo, processed, factory farmed garbage will we see a worldwide shift in better health!
Thank you Wildfind for taking the time to visit. I must agree that a switch to more fresh food, can do nothing but help the health of the world. Which, in my opinion, is in a generally sorry state.
Hi James,
I definitely agree that the Mediterranean diet is a healthy choice. It’s a bit higher in carbs than I would like to see, but it does replace processed foods and supply healthy dietary fats, which is a wonderful upgrade over the Standard American Diet.
Believe it or not, type 2 diabetes, cancer, cognitive decline, and heart disease are all heavily influenced by sugar. The Mediterranean diet has a much lower impact on blood sugar vs what the average American typically eats. As such, a decline of the listed diseases would seem natural when making the healthier choice.
I actually heard that the Mediterranean Diet is one of the best for fighting climate change because you eat a lot less meat on it. From reading your article, I can tell that it will be worth my while. I will help my health and the environment by eating that way.
I do have a question though. Could tell me a simple and easy Mediterranean recipe to make at home? Thank you for sharing and I hope you make it a great day!
Thank you for asking. Try this one.https://www.tasteofhome.com/re…
Easy Mediterranean chicken from Taste of Home
You are absolutely right about Mediterranean diet and eating habits. I have live evidence to it. My ex-girlfriend’s daughter at eighteen moved from Latvia to Sicily. Young girl but the weight was about 80 kilo ( about 176 lb). After three years of living in Italy today, she weighs 50 kg. She did nothing like the gym or work out just Italian boyfriend and Mediterranean food.
Thank you Andrejs, always great to hear success stories like that.
I might be using the Mediterranean diet without even knowing because I eat a lot of fish, I utilize olive oil, and I love dairy! besides Greece being my favorite culture that I learned in school, their foods are fantastic! Because of the information you present, I’m willing to focus on using this diet to gain muscles, get rid of fat, and gat ripped. thanks!
Thank you Marcus. This diet will give you the things that will help with your workout.
Thank you for the very interesting article on the Mediterranean diet. From what I have read, good oil such as olive oil is heart healthy. There is a very good book by Nina Teicholz called “The Big Fat Surprise” which talks about this very same observation. When it comes to the pasta, generally speaking, the majority of wheat out on the market has been genetically modified and as a result causes health issues for many people worldwide. For these reasons, I eat a lot of fat mostly from olive oil and coconut oil. I eat nothing comprised of wheat or wheat products. I am close to 60 years old and I am in great health. No prescription medications of any kind.
Thank you Ramona. There is defiantly a reason for concern over the gmo wheat in our foods.
I will be checking on that book, Thank you for the recommendation.