Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

Significant research studies have been undertaken since 1970 designed to isolate the benefits of the Mediterranean diet scheme. While the research into the possible benefits of the Mediterranean diet is ongoing and not yet complete, scientists, researchers and nutritionists from around the globe have concluded from their extensive research that the Mediterranean diet is beneficial on a number of levels:

1. Reducing the incidence of certain diseases

2. Increasing longevity

3. Providing for an overall healthier lifestyle

The Mediterranean Diet and Disease Risk Reduction

Over the course of the past thirty years, a significant amount of research has been undertaken to consider the possibility that the Mediterranean diet might be useful in lowering the incidence of certain types of diseases. A number of significant studies have been undertaken in this regard, including research that has included an analysis of the dining habits in people in different countries around the world over time.

These studies initially were motivated by the fact that the people who populate the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea tended to have lower incidents of different types of serious diseases that are on the increase in many different countries around the world. In this regard, researchers wanted to determine whether the reason the people of the Mediterranean region seemed to enjoy better health was environmentally driven or the result of their particular diet regimens.

These studies have demonstrated that Mediterranean diet appears to be effective in lowering the incidence of certain types of diseases:

1. Cancer (including breast cancer and colorectal cancer)

2. Coronary Disease

3. Other Cardiovascular Disease

4. Hypertension