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Mediterranean diet Benefits

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Mediterranean diet Benefits

The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest diets in the world. Its principles are well-known, but only recently has it gained more and more popularity. Thanks to its high content of vegetables and fruits, it provides many valuable vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Table of Contents

1. The Mediterranean diet is a general outline

The term Mediterranean diet was introduced into the medical literature in 1952 by American physician A. Keyes, who called it the nutritional model of the majority of the population living in the Mediterranean basin. During his studies, he noticed that these people very rarely have anemia of the heart. It was surprising because in America, where it originated, the scale of the disease has grown tremendously. He came to the conclusion that there must be a link between diet and high blood cholesterol levels and heart disease.

2. The rules of the Mediterranean diet

Although the nutritional habits of the inhabitants of the different countries of the Mediterranean basin vary, there are several similarities: a high proportion of olive oil, but also a low proportion of animal fats, an increase in vegetables and fruits in the dietary menu of Crete in the 1960s. the lowest mortality rate due to heart disease, dietary diseases or cancers was observed there.

3. The Mediterranean diet is a valuable ingredient

There's no doubt that the Mediterranean diet has a lot of valuable nutrients, and it has to do with the large amount of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and nuts that make up the diet.

4. Unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid

The Mediterranean diet is known primarily for its high intake of olive oil. This fat is very often associated with health, especially the blood system. The oil contains a large amount of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, which is the most abundant in it. This acid supports heart health. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, daily consumption of olive acid reduces the likelihood of developing anemia.

5. Liquefied natural gas

Lycopene is a colorant that belongs to the group of carotenoids and is responsible for the red color of many vegetables, including tomatoes. This food ingredient is very often found in the Mediterranean diet. Tomato sauces and tomatoes themselves are one of the main ingredients in this dietary model. The amount of lycopene increases after heat treatment, so it is more abundant in flour, soups and juices than in raw vegetables.

6. Resveratrol and its salts and esters

Resveratrol is a polyphenol that has antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, and also reduces blood platelet aggregation, which reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that it can even promote the development of cancer processes (A. Kopeć et al., 2011).

7. The health effects of the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet was of great interest to scientists as early as 1952, when Dr. A. Keys presented his observations on the improved health of the inhabitants of the Mediterranean basin.

8. It's the bloodstream

The Mediterranean diet is characterized by cardioprotective effects, as evidenced primarily by the Seven Countries Study, as well as its in-depth analysis. Over 25 years of research, scientists have concluded that people whose dietary model most resembled the traditional Mediterranean diet had a lower mortality rate from heart disease.

9. The mortality

A 2005 study by A. Trichopoulou et al. on a group of 75000 women and men from different European countries showed that the dietary model closest to the Mediterranean diet influenced lower overall mortality.

10. Body weight

There is a publication that indicates a positive effect of the Mediterranean diet on obesity prevention (H. Schroeder et al., 2004). A large-population study of Hispanics sought to find out what effect a diet similar to the Mediterranean Diet has on body weight. Respondents were given to fill out a questionnaire on the basis of which points were awarded.

11. Neurodegenerative diseases

In 2008, a review of 12 studies on the health effects of the Mediterranean diet was published in the British Medical Journal. It was noted that using such a dietary model could reduce incidence of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease by as much as 13% compared to the typical Western diet (F. Sofi et al., 2008).

12. Allergic reactions

According to one 2008 study, the use of the Mediterranean diet by pregnant women may also have an effect on reduced asthma and allergies among children later in life. In these children, the risk of allergic reactions decreased by up to 45%. The studies were carried out on a group of nearly 500 pregnant women and lasted for 6 years.

13. Cancers

The Mediterranean diet, due to its high levels of antioxidants as well as unsaturated fatty acids, may be a factor in reducing the likelihood of cancer. Research indicates that the traditional dietary model characteristic of Greece in the 1960s.. is chemopreventive. Its use has an effect on the reduction of the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer, uterine mucous membranes and Crohn's disease (C. Bosetti et al., 2009).

14. The Mediterranean diet is one of the best nutritional models

The Mediterranean diet focuses heavily on plant-based, local, and traditional products, so it's rich in vitamins, minerals, and health benefits. This makes it very good for the whole body. It's ideally a good choice for the prevention of diet-related diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases. Although it is associated with exotic products, the wide availability of products from all over the world on the shelves makes it easy to use.
Source

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