In the 1970s, an American scientist named Ancel Keys noticed that people living in Greece and southern Italy lived long, healthy lives. They wondered why, and so they started studying their diet, habits, and lifestyle. They discovered that there were many common dietary staples in the seven Mediterranean countries that were included in the study, and these staples became the foundation for the Mediterranean diet.
One of the most popular diets today, this lifestyle shift can allow you to control your cholesterol and promote heart health while also being able to enjoy your favorite treats like Punin Wine and desserts. Let’s talk about the science behind this amazing diet so that you can understand more clearly what it has to offer.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
First of all, we need to talk about what this diet is. You need to know what you will be eating before you want to consider starting on a new diet plan, and that is fully reasonable. Thankfully, this diet is really simple and easy to follow and will not break the bank, either.
On the Mediterranean Diet, you will need to eat the following:
- Fruits, veggies, and whole grains for each meal.
- Use extra virgin olive oil for cooking and seasoning.
- You will need to eat at least 3 servings a week of fish or seafood, nuts, and legumes.
- You should only eat 1 serving of poultry, low-fat dairy, and eggs per day.
- You should limit red meat and sweets to 1 serving a week.
Many people find this diet to be incredibly easy to follow. There is a ton of included variety, so you will not get bored, and the items that are “required” on a daily basis are enjoyable to eat and simple to add to common, standard meal selections.
When you remember that many, many people travel long distances to eat the kind of diet that is “normal” in these parts of the world, it becomes much easier to see why the shift to this kind of healthy eating might be quite simple and enjoyable at the same time. There is a lot to love about the included foods in this diet plan, and since it is not a restrictive diet in the traditional sense, it becomes a lifestyle that is easy to convert to without feeling hungry, frustrated, or left out when you go out to eat.
What is the Science Behind This Diet?
Studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet helps control the inflammatory response in the body and also helps control lipids. Both of these variables can lead to a variety of severe health conditions, such as heart disease. The diet is also shown to improve gut flora and help with amino acid production.
The reason that this is true of this diet is that it is high in healthy fats, such as Omega 3s, which are contributed by the fish and oil portion of the diet. You will also be getting necessary roughage in your diet from the required vegetables, and healthy and stable sugars from the fruit that you are asked to eat each day. The balance of different kinds of food also allows your body to extract necessary and vital nutrition from every meal.
While the impact of red meat on health and longevity continues to be studied, it is well-documented that red meat can lead to an increase in unhealthy fats and cholesterol in the diet. Many North Americans consume red meat nearly every single day, a practice that would not have been possible due to cost and a lack of resources for much of human history. The same can be said about milk products, which were not consumed in large quantities before factory farming was introduced.
Understanding just how far North American diets have moved from the dietary protocols of human beings for hundreds of years helps clarify why a shift away from these foods could be very beneficial to someone’s health. There is no clear evidence that humans are not adapted to “handle” diets that are high in cholesterol and fats, but there are definitive links between disease processes and diets that are high in these things.
Improved Lifestyle and Cost Savings
There are some other benefits of adopting this diet that are not discussed often enough. You will end up saving money each month at the grocery store because milk products and red meats are often quite expensive. Many people also report that they have more energy to do the things that they love, and the time spent in the kitchen laboring over meals is reduced by the adoption of this diet as well.
Imagine more free time, more energy, and better health. Why would anyone say no to any of those perks associated with a diet? Being able to do the things you love while saving money and time sounds like a dream come true, and yet it’s a very real outcome for many people who decide to try the Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean Diet is Ideal for Many Reasons
There are so many reasons that people have great success with the Mediterranean diet. The foods in the diet are easy to cook with, simple to source, and enjoyable to eat. Removing a few key items from your daily diet is easy to do, and you will not miss them when you are able to eat so many other delightful foods. Plus, feeling more energized will help you get back to moving around more, having fun, and keeping up with younger folks in your family if you have been struggling to do so.
The Mediterranean Diet is backed by a lot of excellent studies that clearly demonstrate its value. If you have been looking for a way to feel better, have more energy, and enjoy your life more, the Mediterranean Diet might be the solution that you have been craving. This is a simple diet plan to follow, and it could change your entire life for the better.
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