Following a Mediterranean Diet Plan Can Give You Real Health Benefits

The Mediterranean diet is a term used to describe the cuisine of Crete, most of Greece and southern Italy in the 1960s. It is typified by lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil, cheese and yoghourt, with fish and lean meat consumed in moderate amounts, low consumption of red meat and moderate consumption of wine. Fast makes up as much as 35% of the diet but given the importance of olive oil, saturated fats account for no more than 8% of total calories.

Various studies show that following a Mediterranean style diet can lead to weight loss and protect the body against disease. The top five benefits of the plan are as follows

1. Rapid Weight Loss

The Mediterranean diet provides lots of nutrients and because it is not reliant on processed carbohydrates it doesn't produce surges in blood sugar levels, hence it keeps hunger pangs at bay.

2. Good Heart Health

Ingredients such as olive oil, fruit, vegetables and oily fish have been shown to keep the heart healthy through lowering bloody cholesterol levels. Moderate consumption of wine has also been shown to have a positive effect on the heart, reducing incidence of disease.

3. Reduced Risk of Cancer.

Some cancers are a result of the body carrying too many toxins and free radicals. The fresh, colourful fruit and vegetables contained in the Mediterranean diet are a very good source of antioxidants, and so mop up free radicals from the body lessening the risk of cancer.

4. Prevention of Gallstones

Gallstones are becoming more and more common. Their cause is uncertain and whilst not always related to diet it is believed that diet plays an important part in this disease. Nuts, vegetable oil and fish seem to be instrumental in reducing occurrence of gallstones, and as the Mediterranean diet is rich in these ingredients it is recommended for patients. It sometimes reduces the incidence of gallstones, for other patients it eliminates them completely.

5. Lower Blood Pressure

As the Mediterranean diet contains little salt and fatty red meat, it helps to reduce blood cholesterol. Garlic is used abundantly in Mediterranean cooking and this has a beneficial effect on bloody cholesterol too. Finally, the cooking methods used involve roasting and grilling rather than frying - this involves less fat and so is helpful.

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