If it Ain’t Broke Don’t Fix It: the Mediterranean Diet

When you hear about the Mediterranean diet, you should be sure you know what exactly is being referred to. The speaker could be talking about the general diet of the countries and even regions which line the Mediterranean Sea and which share many frequent features, but which also have a lot of individual disparities. They could also be talking about the diet trend based on those common dietary features which was popularized in the 1990s for its heart health benefits. They could also be discussing the fixed diet plan of specific corporations which market a so-called Mediterranean Diet for a price.

In respect to the cultural dietary heritage of the Mediterranean countries, there are various key regional similarities which transcend geography, religion and creed. At least 16 countries form the Mediterranean rim, and also the religious, political and economic disparity between these countries is substantial. Nonetheless, these Mediterranean countries share what has been christened a cultural heritage in their shared dietary qualities.

The archetypal Mediterranean diet features a high intake of vegetables, bread along with other cereals, fruits, potatoes, seeds, beans and nuts. These form the caloric and nutritional base of the diet. Milk items (from goats and cows) are taken in low to moderate quantities, with red meat and eggs rarely being eaten. In some regions moderate wine intake is the norm (due to religious beliefs), but in all regions the use of olive oil is widespread.

This kind of diet has been praised for its heart advantages. The residents of Mediterranean countries have much lower rates of heart attacks and heart illness than most other industrialized countries, and their life span is usually longer. The connection between the widespread use of olive oil (a monounsatured fat which does not increase cholesterol) and wine consumption (said to promote coronary health) has been examined carefully. Nevertheless, there is still no conclusive proof that it really is not lifestyle along with diet that produces the Mediterranean longevity and health. Only you may decide if this is the diet remedy for you