If you have been looking for the perfect diet, your search may come to an end now. The Mediterranean diet has helped millions to achieve their health goals.
Year after year, the name Mediterranean diet has topped the list of the best diets in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings. This diet draws inspiration from the eating habits of the people of Spain, Italy and Greece. It promises to offer a host of health benefits that including weight loss, improved heart and brain health, and prevention and control of diabetes and other chronic diseases.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is not at all a restrictive way of eating, but instead, is based on the traditional way of eating of nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea. There is no particular way to define a Mediterranean diet – it is generally high in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and olive oil.
How does it work?
Researchers are still trying to determine which ones are the superfoods in the Mediterranean diet, but it is highly unlikely that adding those superfoods to your unhealthy diet would be of any help. The main essence of the Mediterranean diet is its balanced nature, complemented with an active lifestyle. This diet is low in animal protein, sugar and saturated fat, and has plenty of nuts, vegetables and other wholesome foods.
Why is it the best diet?
People following the Mediterranean diet were found to live longer and suffering lesser than most of the world’s population. They reported lesser malignancies and cardiovascular problems. The Mediterranean diet has various benefits, and incorporating it into our lifestyle can give us a healthier, longer life.
Benefits Of The Mediterranean Diet
Prevention of heart disease and strokes.
Adhering to a Mediterranean diet limits our consumption of refined bread, processed foods, saturated fats, and other sources of protein, which are considered to be the leading factor responsible for heart disease and stroke.
Reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Studies reveal that the Mediterranean diet can improve cholesterol and blood glucose levels, along with the condition of blood arteries, which in turn can significantly reduce our risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Halving the risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The Mediterranean diet, being antioxidant-rich, prevents our cells from being damaged by the process called oxidative stress, and hence reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease to half.
Protecting against type 2 diabetes.
The Mediterranean diet is a diet rich in fibre, which is digested slowly by our body, preventing huge swings in blood glucose levels. This prevents the development of insulin resistance, a major cause of Type 2 diabetes.
