Going Mediterranean for your Health

In the February issue of Nutrition Reviews, researchers published the results of a review of 43 articles corresponding to 35 different studies on the Mediterranean diet. They were curious to learn what these studies reveal. The results were quite dramatic, making it clear that many people could improve their current health, and decrease their current health risks, if they would start to follow these dietary guidelines.

The Mediterranean Diet is not actually a specific diet, but a way of eating that the people who live along the Mediterranean Sea have in common. Some of these characteristics include:

* A high consumption of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, beans, nuts, seeds, bread and other cereals
* Olive oil used for cooking and dressings
* Moderate amounts of fish but little meat
* Low to moderate amounts of full fat cheese and yogurt
* Moderate consumption of wine, usually with meals
* Reliance on local, seasonal, fresh produce
* An active lifestyle

Listen to this month’s podcast as Margie explains how this type of diet is high in phytonutrients, which provide not only flavor and color, but antioxidant protection against disease.

To see the review, click here.

Listen here.