Over the years, we have seen diet fads come and go and all kinds of claims made about healthy foods and even “superfoods”. They all had their day in the sun and quietly faded away. The one exception is Mediterranean food which stands apart for two main reasons. Firstly, it is not a diet because it is not targeted at weight loss. Secondly, it is not a fad because it has been around for thousands of years and has stood the test of time in terms of both flavor and health benefits.

Mediterranean food is universally acknowledged as being the healthiest of all cuisines. This is not a generalization. There are many specific health benefits that it brings. It is important to keep in mind that while Mediterranean cuisine has evolved over centuries to suit the foods available in the region and the lifestyle of those living there, it is not a form of medicine that will help in regaining health and recovering from sickness. What it does is provide the body with additional strength to fight off many forms of the disease.

•    You May Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease: A study was conducted in Spain with 7000 people who were in the high-risk category for heart disease. One group was placed on a complete Mediterranean diet, one group on a partial Mediterranean diet and the third group was told to eat other cuisines. At the end of the study, the group on the complete Mediterranean diet was found to have had their risk of heart disease reduced by 30%. The traditional tabbouleh (a fresh and healthy salad) is an example of how healthy and flavorful can go together.

      Also Read: Great Food that’s Also Very Healthy

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•     A Woman’s Risk of Stroke May Be Lowered: 23000 men and women who were deemed to be at an increased risk of suffering a stroke took part in a study in the U.K. The women who were placed on a Mediterranean diet were found to be at a 20% lower risk of a stroke than those who continued with a non-Mediterranean diet. The impact on men was negligible.
•     The Risk of Cognitive Decline May Be Reduced: People in the Mediterranean region have among the longest lifespans in the world. They also have the lowest percentage of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases. The healthy Mediterranean diet is a major contributor to this.
•     Metabolic Health May Be Increased: The healthy ingredients, good fats, and cooking techniques used in Mediterranean food make it easy to digest. The nutrients in the food support enhanced disease resistance and if a person does fall sick, the strong metabolic health speeds up recuperation and recovery.
•     Weight Loss May Be Supported: The excellent nutrition that Mediterranean food provides means that energy levels may increase if this food is eaten regularly. This will in turn promote increased physical activity and enhanced calorie burn. This can lead to slow but sustainable weight loss. Mediterranean food includes some of the world’s best kebabs, and because of the cooking techniques, they are far healthier than many other meat preparations.

     Also Read: Answers to Common Questions About Hummus

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Mediterranean food is popular because it is full of flavor and is packed with health benefits. It is not a form of medicine. Eat it and enjoy it knowing that the food you consume is helping you stay healthy. To cook the best Mediterranean food at home, make sure you use only genuine top-quality materials and ingredients from a Mediterranean grocery store. Or buy the food from a Mediterranean deli. That is the way to get both the taste and health benefits of this marvelous food.

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