THE
MEDITERRANEAN DIET
An unwavering HEALTH
It is common knowledge that Mediterranean populations own the lowest cardiovascular mortality rate in the world. While there are countless differences between the countries of the Mediterranean basin, they are all connected together by the one thing they have in common : their food habits. So what exactly have the Mediterranean populations been eating for millennia ?
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Eating HABITS
The eating habits of the Mediterranean populations are commonly known as the « Mediterranean Diet », or the « Cretan Diet ». Not simply a diet, it is above all a lifestyle that advocate a healthy and balanced nutrition, rich in olive oil.
It is composed of fruits, vegetables, cereals and dried fruits. To fully adopt this diet, you must eat small quantity of meat, sugary foods and dairy products. However, you can eat a moderate amount of poultry and eggs, and fish can be eaten freely.
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Consider switching salt with herbs and spices. A glass of red wine from time to time can also be allowed thanks to its polyphenols and tannins.
And of course, substitute all the saturated fats for olive oil, whose fats are unsaturated (they are also called « good fats »).
The combination of all these food products constitutes the mediterranean diet. Eaten all together, and linked with a dash of olive oil, they appear to be excellent for health. |
Benefits FOR YOUR HEALTH
Thanks to the high concentration of mono-unsaturated fatty acids in olive oil, and the antioxidants in the food products, the cretan diet enables to fight against some diseases : - Cardiovascular diseases - Diabetes - Cancers - Parkinson diseases - Alzheimer diseases
The mediterranean diet also enables to prevent from osteoporosis, to lower blood pressure, and increase life expectancy.
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A Mediterranean LIFESTYLE
To conclude, the Mediterranean diet is not just a diet, it truly is a way of living. Its purpose is not to lose weight, but to eat good and healthy products while enjoying the conviviality of sitting around a table, to share food with people.
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