Medical Encyclopedia: Mediterranean diet
DefinitionThe Mediterranean diet is the eating habits of cultures in the Mediterranean.
A have a number of research projects in the food and have come to the conclusion that this scheme is one of the best in the world in relation to the prevention of diseases such as heart disease and cancer, and increasing the hope of life.
OriginThe countries along the Mediterranean diet to the Mediterranean Sea. These cultures have dietary habits which have been thousands of years. In Europe, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain and southern France, the principles of the Mediterranean diet, such as Morocco and Tunisia in Northern Africa. Parts of the Balkans and Turkey, at the Food and Middle Eastern countries such as Syria and Lebanon. The Mediterranean region is hot and sunny, and large quantities of fruit and vegetables almost year-round, that people eat several times a day. Wine, bread, olive oil, nuts and legumes (beans and lentils) are other commodities in the region, the Mediterranean Sea and the ever-abundant fish. The preparation and distribution of meals is a very important event, and a part of Mediterranean culture, and also the Mediterranean cuisine is very popular throughout the world for their taste.
The interest of the United States in the therapeutic qualities of the Mediterranean diet was the end of the 1950s, when scientists began to medical bind the occurrence of diseases of the heart with the diet. Dr. Ancel Keys has an epidemiological analysis of food around the world. The epidemiology is the part of public health, the models of the disease and its possible causes in the population as a whole. Keyboard study entitled Study of the seven countries, is considered one of the largest epidemiological studies ever conducted. Here, the data were on the major diseases of the heart and the possible causes of some 13,000 people in Greece, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, Japan, Finland, the Netherlands and the United States. The study was conducted for decades. To the conclusion that the Mediterranean Sea, in the study of those who have great benefits for health. The Mediterranean Sea, the lowest mortality in all age groups and from all causes, especially the diseases of the heart. One example is that of heart disease Greek males aged 50-54 were 90% lower than for a group of Americans. The study also showed that the Mediterranean diet is fat or greater than other systems, up to 40% of calories from fat. However, penetration of various fat. Mediterranean cuisine with small amounts of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids, mainly in the form of olive oil. The fatty acids are saturated fats, found mainly in meat and dairy products, while avocados, nuts and vegetable oils contain. Saturated fats are provided by the Organization for cholesterol and high cholesterol levels were directly linked to heart disease.
Several other studies confirmed the results of the most important for health in the Mediterranean countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990, an analysis of the four major countries in the Mediterranean (Spain, Greece, France and Italy) and the life expectancy and the decline in cardiovascular and cancer than other countries in Europe and America. The data are important because of the smoke and the Mediterranean Sea did not regularly exercise, like many Americans, which means that other variables responsible May. Scientists have also thrown genetic differences, because the Mediterranean is, in other countries, often their benefits for health. These results suggest that diet and lifestyle are important factors. A study of 1994 in France was found that the rate of heart attacks and heart attacks are the lowest mortality in the group of Mediterranean diet to a control group.
The Mediterranean diet gained notice when Dr. Walter Willett, head of the department of nutrition at Harvard University, began to be recommended. While our low-fat diet is recommended for diseases of the heart, in the Mediterranean in their studies were very high in fat, especially olive oil. Willett and others have suggested that the risk of heart disease may increase a kind of edible fats, mono-unsaturated fats. This type of fatty acids in olive oil. Willett proposal is contrary to the traditional dietary advice to the fat content in food. It was shown that unsaturated fats increase the HDL-cholesterol, also known as "good cholesterol", because their protective effect against heart disease. Willett is also the correlation between the consumption of meat from heart disease and cancer.
Willett, other researchers at Harvard University and the WHO in 1994 developed and the pyramid of the Mediterranean diet, which is a list of food groups and their recommended daily servings of the Mediterranean diet. These groups, that their health food substitute replacement for the diet of groups by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA recommends that a larger number of daily servings of meat and dairy products, the Mediterranean diet, especially for political factors as the proper nutritional analysis.
BenefitsThe Mediterranean diet is a diet recommended for the prevention of heart disease, stroke, cancer and improving the overall health. Diet provides the food, the tasty, economical and easy to prepare. Another advantage is that many people are familiar with the shopping, the preparation of dishes and some sides of the Mediterranean, the food can be found on other therapies.
DescriptionThe Mediterranean diet has some general characteristics:
* The bulk of the diet of foods of plant origin, including whole-grain cereals, bread, pasta, polenta (corn), couscous and bulgur (wheat), rice, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, legumes (beans and lentils), seeds and nuts .
* The oil is generous and is the main cause of the fat in the diet, as well as the main cooking oil. Total fat is responsible for up to 35% of calories. Saturated fatty acids, but only 8% or less calories, which is the consumption of meat and dairy products.
* Fruits and vegetables are used in large quantities. They are usually fresh, unprocessed, locally and cultivated in the season.
* Dairy products are consumed every day in small quantities, mainly cheese and yogurt (1 oz cheese and 1 cup of yogurt per day).
* The eggs are consumed in moderation, up to four eggs per week.
* Fish and poultry are consumed only one to three times per week (less than 1 kg per week combined) with the fish in the choice of poultry.
* The meat is only a few times per month (less than 1 pound per month in total).
* Honey is the sweetener, and sweets are consumed only a few times per week.
* Wine is consumed in moderate amounts with meals (1-2 glasses per day).
PreparationsMany books of Mediterranean cuisine, which can help in planning and preparing meals. A first step, all oils, butter and margarine and olive oil. The meals should always be with bread and salad. Mediterranean region fruit and vegetables in general and of high quality that consumers can purchase for the correlation of farmers in the product, health and business, the products are organic. Admission meat must be reduced and the whole beans, legumes and other foods in the meals. Dairy products that are used must be of cheese and yogurt than milk, which are often not considered a beverage for the Mediterranean Sea.
The researchers were ready to point out that in May, other factors that can affect the effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet. A large part of the movement is important, as well as the reduction of stress. The researchers found that the Mediterranean "attitude to food and meals may be good health. Meals are also important and joyous occasions with care and taste, and are with the family and friends. In many countries in the Mediterranean in general the people to relax or a small siesta (nap), after lunch, the most important meal of the day.
PrecautionsIs recommended by wine with the food in the Mediterranean cuisine, with the health and restrictions carefully. Diet allows generous amounts of olive oil, but only if the substitution of olive oil and other fats be used. In other words, the May consumer reduce their fat content of meat and dairy products, margarine, cooking oil and other sources.
ResourcesBooks
Jenkins, Nancy Harmon. The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook. New York: Bantam, 1994.
Vegetarian Times Cooks Mediterranean Sea. New York: William Morrow, 2000.
Willett, Walter, D. Nutritional epidemiology. London: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Medical Encyclopedia: Mediterranean diet