mediterranean foods In the 1950s, researchers found that the adult life expectancy for people living in the Mediterranean regions (Crete, part of Greece, Southern Italy, and other countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea) were among the highest in the world. They also found that rates of coronary heart disease, certain cancers, and some other diet-related chronic diseases in this region were among the lowest in the world.

The health of the Mediterranean people did not appear to be due to existing medical services, which were limited at that time. However, the researchers found that the Mediterranean people had something in common that might be contributing to their good health—their dietary patterns. These dietary patterns share characteristics that have been associated with low rates of chronic diseases and long life expectancies in many studies conducted throughout the world.

What Is the Mediterranean Diet?

There is no one typical Mediterranean diet. Many countries border the Mediterranean Sea and variations in the Mediterranean diet exist between these countries. However, according to the American Heart Association, traditional Mediterranean diets have the following characteristics in common:

  • An abundance of plant foods:
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables
    • Breads and cereals
    • Potatoes
    • Beans, nuts, and seeds
  • Olive oil as the main source of fat
  • Low-to-moderate amounts of fish and poultry
  • Small amounts of red meat
  • Low-to-moderate amounts of dairy products (mostly cheese and yogurt)
  • Low-to-moderate amounts of eggs (zero to four times per week)
  • Low-to-moderate amounts of wine (one to two glasses of wine per day), normally consumed with meals
  • Fresh fruit as the typical daily dessert and low consumption of sweets (often honey, no more than several times a week)

The American diet is characterized by:

  • Animal products daily, as main source of protein
  • White starches, predominantly
  • Moderate to low in fruits and vegetables
  • High in saturated and trans fats

Unlike the typical American diet, the traditional Mediterranean diet is high in fiber and low in saturated fat. However, the Mediterranean diet is not necessarily low in total fat. But, the types of fats emphasized in the Mediterranean diet are "healthy" monounsaturated fats, like those found in olive oil, which do not raise cholesterol levels.

The traditional Mediterranean diet has been illustrated in a Mediterranean diet pyramid developed by researchers at Harvard and Oldways, a nonprofit education organization that promotes alternatives to unhealthy eating styles of industrialized countries. The pyramid is arranged in the following way:

  • Along the base is daily physical activity, as well as a reminder to eat meals with friends and family.
  • The next layer is food that should be eaten daily. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, legumes and seeds, and herbs and spices.
  • The layer above that features fish and seafood. Eat these more often (at least two times per week).
  • The second layer from the top includes poultry and eggs. Eat these every two days or once per week. Cheese and yogurt is also in this layer, which should be eaten daily to weekly.
  • The final layer has meats and sweets, which should be eaten less often.

Alongside the pyramid, water and wine are featured. Stay hydrated throughout the day with water, and drink wine in moderation (two drinks per day for men, and one drink per day for women).

Health Benefits

There has been a lot of research on the potential health benefits of following the Mediterranean diet. According to studies, this diet may offer these benefits:

  • Reduce the rate of death in people who have had a heart attack
  • Reduce the rate of heart attack and stroke in people who have heart disease
  • Aid in weight loss
  • Lower the risk of developing cancer
  • Lower HbA1c levels (a measurement of how well the body uses blood sugar) in people with diabetes
  • Reduce pain in rheumatoid arthritis
  • Lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
  • Reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome—The term "metabolic syndrome" refers to a group of risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These risk factors include obesity, low amounts of "good" (HDL) cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, and prediabetes.

It is important to remember, though, that other factors can affect these benefits. For example, people who follow the Mediterranean diet may have a lower risk of cancer because of other lifestyle factors or their environment.

Tips for Mediterranean Eating

How can you eat more authentically Mediterranean? Here are some tips from the Oldways website:

  • Include an abundance of food from plant sources such as fruits, vegetables, potatoes, whole grains, seeds, and nuts.
  • Choose a variety of minimally processed foods, preferably those that are seasonally and locally grown.
  • Use olive oil as the principal fat in your diet, replacing other fats and oils.
  • Eat low-to-moderate daily amounts of cheese and yogurt (preferably low-fat and non-fat versions).
  • Eat fish and poultry twice per week.
  • Have fresh fruit as your typical daily dessert.
  • Eat red meat only a few times per month.

Lifestyle Changes

Research suggests that the Mediterranean diet is a healthful and pleasing alternative to the American diet. But will the diet alone significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your longevity? Researchers point out that the low incidence of heart disease and low death rate in the Mediterranean countries may be due, in part, to other lifestyle factors, such as more physical activity and extended social support systems. Relaxing in the sun on the Amalfi Coast probably does not hurt either!