Mediterranean diet

Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine by Douglas Dupler

Definition
The Mediterranean diet is based upon the eating patterns of
traditional cultures in the Mediterranean region. Several noted
nutritionists and research projects have concluded that this diet is
one of the most healthful in the world in terms of preventing
illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, and increasing life
expectancy.
Origins
The countries that have inspired the Mediterranean diet all surround the Mediterranean Sea.
These cultures have eating habits that developed over thousands of years. In Europe, parts of
Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, and southern France adhere to principles of the Mediterranean
diet, as do Morocco and Tunisia in North Africa. Parts of the Balkan region and Turkey follow the
diet, as well as Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon and Syria. The Mediterranean region is
warm and sunny, and produces large supplies of fresh fruits and vegetables almost year round
that people eat many times per day. Wine, bread, olive oil, nuts, and legumes (beans and
lentils) are other staples of the region, and the Mediterranean Sea has historically yielded
abundant fish. The preparation and sharing of meals is a very important and festive part of
Mediterranean culture as well, and Mediterranean cuisine is popular around the world for its
flavors.
American interest in the therapeutic qualities of the Mediterranean diet began back in the late
1950s, when medical researchers started to link the occurrence of heart disease with diet. Dr.
Ancel Keys performed an epidemiological analysis of diets around the world. Epidemiology is the
branch of public health that studies the patterns of diseases and their potential causes among
populations as a whole. Keys' study, entitled the Seven Countries Study, is considered one of the
greatest epidemiological studies ever performed. In it, Keys gathered data on heart disease and
its potential causes from nearly 13,000 men in Greece, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Japan, Finland, the
Netherlands, and the United States. The study was conducted over decades. It concluded that the
Mediterranean people in the study enjoyed some significant health advantages. The
Mediterranean groups had lower mortality rates in all age brackets and from all causes,
particularly from heart disease. For instance, the rates of heart disease for Greek men aged 5054 were 90% lower than for a comparable group of Americans. The study also showed that the
Mediterranean diet is as high or higher in fat than other diets, obtaining up to 40% of all its
calories from fat. It has, however, different patterns of fat intake. Mediterranean cooking uses
smaller amounts of saturated fat and higher amounts of unsaturated fat, mostly in the form
of olive oil. Saturated fats are fats that are found principally in meat and dairy products,
although avocados, some nuts and some vegetable oils also contain them. Saturated fats are
used by the body to make cholesterol, and high levels of cholesterol have since been directly
related to heart disease.
Several other studies have validated Keys' findings regarding the good health of people in the
Mediterranean countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) showed in a 1990 analysis that
four major Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece, France, and Italy) have longer life
expectancies and lower rates of heart disease and cancer than other European countries and
America. The data are significant because the same Mediterraneans frequently smoke and don't
have regular exercise programs like many Americans, which means that other variables may be
responsible. Scientists have also ruled out genetic differences, because Mediterraneans who
move to other countries tend to lose their health advantages. These findings suggest that diet
and lifestyle are major factors. A 1994 study conducted in France found that the rate of heart
attacks and the rate of cardiac deaths were lower for the Mediterranean diet group than for a
group of controls.
The Mediterranean diet gained more notice when Dr. Walter Willett, head of the nutrition
department at Harvard University, began to recommend it. Although low-fat diets were
recommended for heart disease, Mediterranean groups in his studies had very high intakes of fat,
mainly from olive oil. Willett and others proposed that the risk of heart disease can be reduced by
increasing one type of dietary fat monounsaturated fat. This is the type of fat in olive oil.
Willett's proposal went against conventional nutritional recommendations to reduce all fat in the

diet. It has been shown that unsaturated fats raise the level of HDL cholesterol, which is
sometimes called "good cholesterol" because of its protective effect against heart disease. Willett
has also performed studies correlating the intake of meat with heart disease and cancer.
Willett, other researchers at Harvard, and the WHO collaborated in 1994 and designed the
Mediterranean Food Pyramid, which lists food groups and their recommended daily servings in
the Mediterranean diet. These nutritionists consider their food groups a more healthful alternative
to the food groups designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA
recommends a much higher number of daily servings of meat and dairy products, which
Mediterranean diet specialists attribute to political factors rather than sound nutritional analysis.
Benefits
The Mediterranean diet is a recommended preventive diet for heart disease, strokes, cancer,
and the improvement of general health. The diet offers foods that are tasty, economical, and
easy to prepare. Another benefit is that many people are more familiar with purchasing,
preparing, and eating Mediterranean foods than some foods that are central to other dietary
therapies.
Description
The Mediterranean diet has several general characteristics:
The bulk of the diet comes from plant sources, including whole-grains, breads, pasta,
polenta (from corn), bulgur and couscous (from wheat), rice, potatoes, fruits, vegetables,
legumes (beans and lentils), seeds and nuts.
Olive oil is used generously, and is the main source of fat in the diet as well as the
principal cooking oil. The total fat intake accounts for up to 35% of calories. Saturated
fats, however, make up only 8% of calories or less, which restricts meat and dairy intake.
Fruits and vegetables are eaten in large quantities. They are usually fresh, unprocessed,
grown locally, and consumed in season.
Dairy products are consumed in small amounts daily, mainly as cheese and yogurt (1 oz of
cheese and 1 cup of yogurt daily).
Eggs are used sparingly, up to four eggs per week.
Fish and poultry are consumed only one to three times per week (less than 1 lb per week
combined), with fish preferred over poultry.
Red meat is consumed only a few times per month (less than 1 lb per month total).
Honey is the principle sweetener, and sweets are eaten only a few times per week.
Wine is consumed in moderate amounts with meals (1-2 glasses daily).
Preparations
Many Mediterranean cookbooks are available that can help with planning and preparing meals.
A good first step is eliminating all oils, butter and margarine, and replacing them with olive oil.
Meals should always be accompanied with bread and salads. Mediterranean fruits and
vegetables are generally fresh and high in quality; American consumers may find equivalents by
shopping in farmers' markets and health food stores that sell organic produce. Meat intake
should be reduced and replaced by whole-grains, legumes, and other foods at meals. The
dairy products that are used should be yogurt and cheese instead of milk, which is not often used
as a beverage by Mediterraneans.
Researchers have been quick to point out that there may be other factors that influence the
effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet. Getting plenty of physical exercise is important,
as is reducing stress. Researchers have noted that Mediterraneans' attitude toward eating
and mealtimes may be a factor in their good health as well. Meals are regarded as important
and joyful occasions, are prepared carefully and tastefully, and are shared with family and
friends. In many Mediterranean countries, people generally relax or take a short nap (siesta)
after lunch, the largest meal of the day.
Precautions
Although wine is recommended with meals in the Mediterranean diet, those with health
conditions and restrictions should use caution. The diet allows generous quantities of olive oil, but
only when the olive oil substitutes for other fats and is not used in addition to them. In other
words, consumers may have to significantly reduce fat intake from meat and dairy products,
margarine, cooking oils and other sources.