The Mediterranean diet is a diet based on consuming the foods individuals who live in the Mediterranean basin eat. The Mediterranean basin includes portions of Italy, France, and even the Sahara Desert a generally mild winters with long, hot summers.
Most people who mention the Mediterranean diet are really talking about a diet created by Walter Willett. The diet includes wine, red meat, olive oil, eggs, fish, poultry and a healthy amount of physical activity.
The diet strictly control fat so that only a total of about 35% of calories come from fat. It’s considered a low-fat high dietary fiber diet. The first version of the diet was published in 1945, but the Mediterranean diet didn’t become well known until the late 20th century.
Whereas American diets rely on animal fats, the Mediterranean diet utilizes olive oil. Olive oil has many benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood sugar. Olive oil is also good for treating ulcers and for lowering the risk of many types of cancer. Red wine also adds to the mix in that it contains elements with antioxidant properties.
Versions of the Mediterranean diet are recommended by the American Heart Association. The association is anxious about the high amount of fat in the Mediterranean diet. They say obesity is a growing health concern in the Mediterranean basin.
The AHA does take solace in the fact that mono saturated fats such as those found in olive oil don’t raise cholesterol levels. Weight loss experts aren’t sure whether better health in the Mediterranean basin is due to diet or the fact they get a lot of exercise, mostly from walking.
Just type in “Mediterranean Diet” in your web rowser to find more information and facts on this diet.
