What Are The Health Benefits Of The Mediterranean Diet?

What are the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet? Research has shown that the diet is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, and it supports healthy blood sugar levels. The Mediterranean diet is based on foods that people ate in countries near the Mediterranean sea such as France, Spain, Greece, Italy.

The diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and heart healthy fats. Some of the restrictions dietary wise are processed foods, added sugars, and refined grains. Research studies have shown that Mediterranean diet can promote weight loss, help, and prevent heart attacks, reduce strokes, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, etc.

What are the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet? iStock-newannyart

There have been research studies that have shown that the Mediterranean diet can help lower blood pressure levels to support heart health. Several studies have also shown that the Mediterranean diet can help with improving brain health.

There was a study on 512 people that found that people who followed the Mediterranean diet had improved memory and reductions in several risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Other research studies have shown that it can lower the risk of dementia, cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Foods you can eat on the Mediterranean Diet:

• Vegetables– broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, brussels sprouts, etc.
• Fruits– banana, apples, strawberries, grapes, peaches, etc.
• Nuts– almonds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, almond butter, etc.
• Legumes-beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils, etc.
• Whole Grains-oats, brown rice, barley, whole wheat bread, pasta, rye, etc.
• Fish and Seafood– salmon, tuna, shrimp, trout, sardines, etc.
• Dairy– cheese, yogurt, milk, etc.
• Healthy Fats– avocados, avocado oil, olives, etc.

Foods You Can’t Eat On The Mediterranean Diet:

• Trans Fats- margarine, fried foods, etc.
• Added Fats- ice cream, table sugar, candies, baked goods, etc.
• Processed Meats-hot dogs, beef jerky, etc.
• Refined Oils-canola oil, grapeseed oil, soybean oil, etc.
• Highly Processed Foods- Granola bars, microwave popcorn, fast food, etc.

Beverages

Water is a suitable beverage to drink on the Mediterranean Diet. If you do drink wine, then one glass a day is considered ok and within the moderation limits. Coffee and tea are perfectly ok on this diet too. But sweetened sodas or beverages that have added sugars should be minimal in consumption. Eating whole fruits is a better alternative than drinking fruit juice because of its fiber intake.

“Research studies have shown that Mediterranean diet can promote weight loss, help, and prevent heart attacks, reduce strokes, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, etc.” Celebrity Fitness & Nutrition Expert Obi Obadike

The Bottom Line is the Mediterranean Diet is a healthy dietary pattern that focuses on healthy plant foods and low animal foods.

And its focus is on fish and seafood dietary foods. The health benefits of this eating pattern are regulating blood sugar, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, and improving brain function.

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References

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