The Mediterranean diet is a Greek diet that contributes to longer longevity and lower death rates than diets of neighboring countries, according to research by scientists at the Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health in Washington, DC and published in the "Journal of Nutrition" in 2001. These foods include plentiful fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grain cereals, olives and olive oil, moderate amounts of low-fat dairy and fish and small amounts of meat.
Heart Disease
Heart disease and stroke are the leading and third most causes of death in the United States. The Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, risk factors associated with coronary artery disease and stroke, respectively. Research by scientists at the Department of Nutrition at Simmons College in Boston and published in "Circulation" in 2009 evaluated studies on the Mediterranean diet and coronary artery disease and stroke and found that a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower risk of incidence and death from coronary artery disease and stroke.
Cancer
Cancer is the second most leading cause of death in the United States. The Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of cancers throughout your body. Research by scientists at the Department of Clinical Sciences at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and published in "Nutrition and Cancer" in 2010 summarizes evidence from epidemiological studies that find 10 of 12 studies demonstrate that the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of cancer incidence or mortality. The research concludes that the Mediterranean diet has public health relevance and modern societies should shift toward this diet.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The Mediterranean diet may reduce the incidence and mortality from Alzheimer's disease. Research by scientists at the Taub Institute for Research in Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain in New York and published in "Annals of Neurology" in 2006 discovered that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet among non-demented individuals is associated with a reduction of risk for Alzheimer's disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. The Mediterranean diet may reduce your risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, also called type 2 diabetes and help you manage the disease if you are diagnosed. Research by scientists at the Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases at Second University of Naples in Italy and published in "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice" in 2010 reviewed seventeen studies conducted on the association of the Mediterranean diet and type 2 diabetes and discovered that the accumulated evidence suggests that adhering to a Mediterranean diet may help prevent type 2 diabetes and improve blood sugar control and reduce cardiovascular risk in persons with established diabetes.
References
- PubMed: The Mediterranean Diets: What Is So Special About the Diet of Greece? The Scientific Evidence
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Leading Causes of Death
- PubMed: Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of and Mortality from Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Women
- PubMed: Association between the Mediterranean Diet and Cancer Risk: A Review of Observational Studies
- PubMed: Mediterranean Diet and Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
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