The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest. If for no other reason, because most of the constituents of the Mediterranean diet reduce cardiovascular disease and provide many other nutrients. And, it has to be said, dishes found in the Mediterranean diet are simply delicious. If you’d like to learn what makes the Mediterranean diet so healthy, read on.
Extra virgin olive oil. The star product of the healthy Mediterranean diet.
EVOO is without doubt the pearl of the Mediterranean diet. It is the most important part of the diet, not because you have to eat a lot of it, but because this single ingredient has so many health benefits.
Extra virgin olive oil is known to reduce levels of bad cholesterol and to promote cardiovascular health. It also contains a lot of antioxidants that help keep the body young and active by eliminating free radicals that affect the functioning of the body’s cells.
Do you still have any doubt that the Mediterranean food is healthy? Here are more benefits of its key constituent:
– It prevents and improves the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia by reducing cognitive deterioration of the brain.
– It is anti-inflammatory, reducing joint pain.
– It protects and strengthens bones.
– It stimulates the immune system, thanks to its vitamins.
– It helps to regulate the digestive system by reducing the secretion of stomach acid and alleviating constipation.
Fruit and vegetables
A healthy Mediterranean food always includes fresh fruit and vegetables. They contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the immune system. They are also excellent antioxidants and so delay aging of body and mind. Besides that, thanks to their high fiber content, fruit and vegetables significantly improve digestive health
Remember to eat locally produced, seasonal fruit and vegetables.
Cereals
Among other healthy foods are cereals. Rice, pasta and bread contain significant amounts of carbohydrate, a very important source of energy for daily life. For the sake of our digestive systems, it is best to eat whole grain cereals.
Protein
Last but not least, we have protein. The Mediterranean diet includes daily helpings of dairy produce, such as cheese and yogurt, thanks to the vitamins and minerals that contribute to the diet. In addition, eating fresh meat, eggs or fish once a day is ideal for obtaining the right amount of protein to stay really healthy.
What makes the Mediterranean food so healthy? As we have seen, it brings a whole range of benefits to the body. It is a very balanced diet that will protect you and your family from disease and make you feel alert, healthy and more energetic.
