The Mediterranean diet has been identified as the secret of greater life expectancy among the people of the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean cuisines are a combination of vegetables, nuts, fruit, legumes and beans cooked in olive oil, with a moderate intake of dairy products and red wine. They consume very small quantities of animal fat, meat and sugar in their diet, on a weekly or monthly basis. This nourishing balanced diet along with an active life style help prevent some of the chronic diseases of the heart, as well as cancer, diabetes and gallstones.
Researchers have identified the traditional Mediterranean as a healthy diet compared diets rich in animal fats and products. Americans and Europeans consume poultry, eggs and red meat cooked in animal fat such as butter or margarine that are a rich source of saturated fat. The intake of such food with little or no fiber, deficient in essential vitamins, minerals and nutrition vital to the human body, runs the risk of these people developing obesity, various types of cancers, heart diseases and a shortened life span.
The Mediterranean diet was thus modified for the wider population. In fact, the modified Mediterranean diet is an anti-aging diet, designed to improve the life expectancy of older people. The diet is not a part of any weight loss program, but a healthy diet combined with an active lifestyle are encouraged. The diet recommends a daily serving of vegetables, fruit, legumes, beans and cereals with low amount of milk, yogurt and cheese. The food should be cooked, garnished or dressed with olive oil(a low saturated fat and anti-oxidant). Poultry and meat should be consumed occasionally. In fact, the Mediterranean diet recommends the intake of oily fish to poultry, as it is a good source of protein and Omega 3 fatty acids that are good for the heart. A healthy diet of modified Mediterranean diet relished by aging people consists of mainly vegetables, fruit and fish.
