Is The Mediterranean Diet Really Healthier Than The Other Diets?

What Is the Mediterranean Diet? 

The Mediterranean diet is a highly recommended practice of a healthy lifestyle. 

The Mediterranian diet was initially based on foods consumed by people in Greece, Crete, southern Italy and other Mediterranean areas where rates of chronic disease were low and life expectancy long.  (USDA, 2006)

• This Mediterranean dietary pattern emphasizes daily consumption of bread, pasta, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, cheese and yoghurt as well as meats such as fish, poultry, veal and lamb.
• Daily physical activity is part of the diet plan.
• Fish, poultry, eggs and sweets are recommended to take weekly whereas red meat is advised to eat monthly.
• Wine with meals is included in the Mediterranean diet.  

 

Why Is the Mediterranean Diet So Healthy?

 

The Mediterranean dietary recommendations effectively lower the risk of developing a range of diseases, from heart disease to diabetes. (Kris-Etherton, P.M et al., 2007)           

An individual on this style diet was less likely to have a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular events. 

People who consumed a Mediterranean diet with olive oil or nuts witnessed their risk of cardiovascular disease decline by 30%. (Ramón Estruch et al., 2013)

Younger women who practised a Mediterranean diet had a lower body mass index (BMI), smaller waist and thighs. 

This is because the Mediterranean diet is rich with antioxidants and provides high anti-inflammatory properties as well as packed with fibre which keeps you full. (Boghossian et al., 2013)

Consuming the Mediterranean was associated with a less cognitive drop, decreased risk of Alzheimer's disease, and boost memory. 

The diet also has effects on reducing the brain's age by five years. (Roy J. Hardman et al., 2016 & Yian Gu et al., 2015)