Boosting your consumption of Mediterranean diet, which is the “world’s healthiest diet”, could significantly cut your chances of developing heart disease, dementia, and diabetes, among other health perks. The Mediterranean diet has clinched the title of the best diet worldwide for the eighth consecutive year.
Championing fresh, seasonal produce and whole foods, this diet has been acknowledged for its health benefits for ages. It has once again secured the top spot in the US News & World Report’s annual ranking of diets, outperforming 37 other contenders.
The experts at US News & World Report explained: “The Mediterranean diet focuses on quality and lifestyle rather than a single nutrient or food group. Numerous studies have shown that this dietary model reduces the risk of certain chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, while promoting longevity and improving quality of life.”
They commented: “One of the most well-researched diets, the Mediterranean diet is backed by a robust body of scientific research to mitigate chronic conditions (such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes), enhance longevity and improve quality of life.”
The Mediterranean diet’s allure isn’t just in the health benefits – this diet doesn’t demand the strict adherence that many others do. “The Mediterranean diet is one of the easiest diets to follow for good reason,” the experts noted.
“Rather than taking a highly restrictive approach that eliminates certain nutrients or food groups or being highly rigid about specific macronutrients, the Mediterranean diet provides general guidelines that are versatile enough to be adaptable to any cuisine or lifestyle – making it a sustainable approach to eating.”
While the Mediterranean diet doesn’t impose hard-and-fast rules about what must or mustn’t be eaten, it’s important to recognise its core components to fully embrace its advantages. Three major food groups are integral to the diet:
US News & World Report commented: “There isn’t a single type of Mediterranean diet. People in Greece, Italy, Spain and other regions of the Mediterranean have different styles, they all share many of the same principles: follow a plant-based approach that focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts, with extra-virgin olive oil as the main source of fat, while including a moderate amount of seafood and poultry and minimal red meat.”
They advised those keen to adopt this lifestyle to map their meals with 40 percent carbohydrates, 40 percent healthy fats, and 20 percent protein.
