There are numerous reasons why you should include a Mediterranean diet in your healthy lifestyle. It has been adopted by the entire old world as a healthier way of living, and it does not disappoint. In fact, there are some great reasons why this type of food is beneficial to anyone who eats it on a regular basis.
1) Mediterranean diet improves chronic health conditions
Mediterranean diet is widely known to improve heart health. It is perhaps one of the main Mediterranean diet benefits that makes it a famous and trending diet plan.
Whatever age, gender, or health condition you may have, you should adopt the Mediterranean diet for improved heart health. Foods that come from this cuisine have a very high intake of monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenols, which all work together to reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels. This leads to reduced risk of coronary artery disease, better blood flow throughout the body, and lowered chance of developing some cardiovascular-related diseases such as heart disease and stroke.
A study has shown that people who follow this diet are able to reduce their chances of developing heart disease. They have higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by nearly 30 percent than those who do not follow these dietary habits.
Mediterranean diet also improves diabetes control. The main factor attributed to obesity is carbohydrate craving for weight gain, which leads to diabetes. As per recent research, it was found that diabetes patients following a Mediterranean-style diet were at reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality as well as overall mortality when compared to those following low carbohydrate diets.
Mediterranean diet can also reduce cancer risk. Cancer-causing free radicals are produced when we eat foods that are high in carbohydrates while low in antioxidant content. When consumed for a longer period, these can cause damage to our cells because of oxidative stress, thereby increasing the risk of various types of cancer.
Mediterranean diet is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce or inhibit these free radicals, thereby helping protect against certain forms of cancer. A diet composed of vegetables, legumes, fruits, and healthy fats like olive oil help in cancer prevention and reduces cancer risks. They can reduce the risk of colon, stomach, and prostate cancer.
2) Reduced risk of obesity
Mediterranean diet is low in saturated fat and high in protein, which makes it a great way to lose or maintain weight. It also reduces the risk of getting cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
These factors lead to better overall health, as those conditions can be very difficult to deal with for some people. Several research studies have shown that those who follow a Mediterranean diet not only maintain their body weight but also come out as healthier than those following other types of diets. This is because they eat whole grains and oil-free plant-based foods, which are low in sugar or fat content.
3) Better cognitive function
The Mediterranean diet is best known for its cardiovascular health benefits. But it turns out to be good for your cognitive function as well.
A study has shown that expecting mothers who adhered to a Mediterranean diet had children with better problem-solving skills and attention spans compared to those who ate other diets. These findings could possibly be attributed to the ingredients found in the Mediterranean diet such as olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids, fish and antioxidant-rich foods, a combination which studies have shown may promote brain health.
Moreover, a follow-up report showed that young adults whose mothers followed a Mediterranean diet during pregnancy were less likely to have poor scores on thinking and memory tests than their peers whose mothers didn’t follow this dietary pattern.
4) Living longer
The Mediterranean diet is based on plants (fruit, vegetables, legumes), fish, and whole grains. It works in the body by reducing blood cholesterol levels. When compared to other traditional diets, people following the Mediterranean diet live longer. This food pattern has the lowest rate of heart diseases, diabetes, etc. when consumed for a long period of time.
The plant-based foods in this diet are rich in antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress in our cells, which can damage cell functions over time, thereby increasing the risk of various chronic ailments like cancer or even cardiovascular disease.
Studies show that the human lifespan can be extended by around nine years if you adopt a Mediterranean diet regimen throughout your life. This means that you can enjoy your life for a longer period of time.
There are many things to consider when picking the perfect diet for your self-care routine, but the Mediterranean diet might be one of the best ones out there. It has numerous benefits, and it will only make you feel better about yourself.
You should first talk to your doctor before making any decision to change your lifestyle in order to prevent any possible problems that might arise as a result of the dietary change.
Author bio:
Allen Brown is a keen writer covering topics such as health, travel, beauty and such. He enjoys spending time playing the drums in his past time.
