The Mediterranean diet, and its multiple benefits, are an ally for the health and wellbeing of consumers, starting with the table. Cereals, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, fish and fruitare just some of the foods recommended by this type of diet to give the organism most of the substances that are vital for it to perform its functions normally. Global excellence The importance of the Mediterranean diet hasalso been endorsed by Unesco, which has putit on the List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But what is meant exactly by‘Mediterranean diet’? We should first of all point out that in this case‘diet’does not refermerely to the set of foodsand ingredients that a human being eats to live or to a specific medical prescription with therapeutic aims. The meaningis much wider and encompasses nuances of the word ‘diet’that are nearer the way it was conceived in the ancient medicinal tradition of Greece. TheMediterranean dietis thus a system of ‘life rules’or good habits aim to ensure that a person enjoys optimum health. Diet defined as an integral and decisive part of a healthy and balanced life style that is influenced by the culture of a place, the knowledge and competencies of its people and ancient traditions and practices. The adjectiveMediterranean gives this type of diet a geographical location that is a genuine heritage that was born and developed in the countries bordering on the Mediterranean Sea like Italy, Greece, Spain and Morocco. In addition to ‘cultural’excellence, theMediterranean diet has nutritionalproperties that are very beneficial for the health of the organism. Here is a complete summary of the recommended foodstuffs.

• In the Mediterranean dieta lot of cereals and cereal products and seasonal fruit and vegetables are consumed.
• There is always a good amount of pulses and fish where as foods that contain saturated fats, cholesterol and animal proteins such as cheese, meat and eggs are limited.
• The secret is striking the right balance between foods so that there is a variation between foods that are rich in fibre, antioxidant substances, vitamins and unsaturated fats.
• The condimentpar excellence of theMediterranean dietis extra virgin olive oil.
• Sugars and foodstuffs like butter and coffee are reduced drastically.
• In theMediterranean dietred wine and infusions are recommended.

The benefits of theMediterranean diet:

1. The foods recommended by theMediterranean diet are rich in vitamins and have an antioxidant effect that helps prevent serious diseases such as cancer.
2. Adopting a Mediterranean diet enables the right balance to be maintained between the quantity of calories in the foods and individual energy requirements, keeping the metabolism in equilibrium and consequently body weight.
3. The contribution of good fats like those from fish, omega 3 and 6, unsaturated fats and fats of vegetable origin and of lecithin and phytosterols also helps to combat the increase of triglycerides in the blood and to lower the cholesterol, with advantages for the cardiovascular system.In this manner it is also possible to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
4. The Mediterranean dietalso makes people live longer and provides tissues with long-term protection against deterioration.Specifically, certain studies have shown that telomers, that is the elements that help to protect the chromosomes and their structure, are reinforced with benefits for the entire DNA.
5. The nutritional substances contained in particular in olive oil have outstanding antioxidant effects and in particular help prevent diseases of the nervous system like Alzheimer’s.
6. Obtaining most of one’s proteins from vegetables helps the liver and kidneys and improves the process of eliminating toxins and substances that are harmful for the organism.
7. This diet recommends fruit and carbohydrates. This healthy balance of food keeps sugar levels stable and limits the many complaints caused by diabetes.

  The benefits of theMediterranean diet are systemic: not just one part of the body but the entire organism profits from its positive effects.