The Mediterranean Diet: A Protective Diet for Everyone - Plants and Health

A miracle diet that keeps us healthy? No, there is nothing miraculous about this fairly plant-based diet, which is very varied, tasty and friendly. On the other hand, backed by scientific work, it is now unanimously accepted and promises us better shape and better health. Provided you understand the issues and principles.

It all started in the 1950s with a study of the health effects of dietary patterns in western northern countries such as the USA, the Netherlands or Finland, compared with those countries whose diets were less transformed, such as Yugoslavia, Japan or Italy. The results (more than 10 years and 10,000 inhabitants) amazed the entire scientific community: 1390 Finns died, including 466 from cardiovascular diseases, and in Crete – 627 deaths, including 9 from cardiovascular diseases! The machine was launched, and many scientists, in particular Dr. Michel de Lorgeril, physiologist and epidemiologist, researcher at the CNRS, began to take a very keen interest in health benefits of this diet. “In fact,” admits Dr. de Lorgeril, “we have reoriented our work towards a traditional diet, closer to that of Greece, Catalonia or Sicily, with the typical Cretan diet being slightly higher in fat (40% of the daily fat intake among Cretans, according to compared to 30% among others). Here again, the results are astonishing and provide the scientific basis for a dietary regimen that continues to reveal its benefits for our health, certainly for the cardiovascular system, but not only for that. We know today that A Mediterranean diet may have a positive effect on all metabolic diseases (eg type 2 diabetes), but also degenerative (Alzheimer’s disease) and cancer prevention.

How exactly can you eat Mediterranean food and still reap these benefits? The Mediterranean Diet, as we understand it today, is a diet inspired by what these eating methods have in common, but also integrating the defining elements that influence the organization of eating (together, in a friendly environment) and the plate (portions large enough to satisfy , No). more), but also lifestyle (more active). This isn’t about eating tomatoes drizzled with olive oil all week. This all food groups (working in synergy) associated with a better lifestyle that make the Mediterranean diet so effective. By following these few rules, you can get the most out of it, no matter where you live!

Read

How to Avoid Heart Attack and Stroke, Michel de Lorgeril, ed. Thierry Sukkar.

I approach almost everything with the Mediterranean Diet by Martina Cotina, ed. Thierry Sukkar.

Better carbon footprint

The carbon footprint of food in industrialized countries is not very good. Will we be better people if we eat Mediterranean food? This can be assumed because it is a more local, seasonal and more environmentally friendly diet, containing no (or very little) processed industrial foods, which are particularly energy-intensive to produce. Spanish researchers studied the carbon footprint of Mediterranean-style food trays from hospitals in the Iberian Peninsula and compared them with trays from British and American hospitals. Result ? For the same caloric intake, carbon dioxide emissions in American and British hospitals are one and a half to two times higher!

Under no circumstances can the information and advice offered on the Plantes & Santé website replace the advice or diagnosis provided by a physician or health care professional, the only one who can adequately assess your medical condition.