Mediterranean DietThe Mediterranean Diet was presented by Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University's School of Public Health in the mid-1990s. It is a modern nutritional recommendation inspired by the traditional dietary patterns of some of the countries of the Southern Mediterranean region (i.e. Spain, Greece, and Italy). The Mediterranean diet food pyramid and guidelines include: 
Total fat in this diet is 25% to 35% of calories, with saturated fat at 8% or less of calories. The diet is often cited as beneficial for being low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat and dietary fiber. Why do the Mediterranean Population Live Longer?
A recent study has confirmed that the Mediterranean population is living longer than other Europeans; scientists have been trying to understand which component of their diet contributes to it the most. Here is a summary of some of the health benefits of Mediterranean diet foods:
Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fat, which is protective against heart disease, source of antioxidants including vitamin E. It is used to prepare vegetable dishes, tomato sauces, salads and used to fry fish instead of butter, margarine and other fats, displacing saturated fat from the diet. A high intake of fresh fruit and vegetables (especially tomatoes) protects against both heart disease and cancer; probably because of the antioxidants they contain. Tomatoes are indeed a major source of antioxidants and heat processing such as cooking, as in the preparation of tomato sauces is recommended as it increases the availability of lycopene, one of the main antioxidants in tomatoes.
Oily fish are a source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fats and the complex long chain derivatives of these fats appear to be particularly beneficial to heart health because of their anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory properties, which keeps blood flowing smoothly.
Wine:throughout the Mediterranean wine is drunk in moderation and usually taken with meals. For men moderation is two glasses per day, for women one glass per day. Wine, especially red wine, contains a vast array of plant compounds with health-promoting qualities called
phytochemicals.
The combination of all the different ingredients of the diet makes it so healthy. Also, other factors such as a more relaxed attitude to eating, plenty of sunshine and more physical activity are likely to be contributing to the overall healthy lifestyle in this region. The Diet ResearchAccording to a study published in the British Medical Journal (May 29, 2008), the traditional Mediterranean-diet provides substantial protection against type 2 diabetes. In July 2008 The New England Journal of Medicine published a study comparing the effects of three diets: low carb, low fat, and Mediterranean. The study lasted for 2 years and involved 322 participants. The low carb diet and Mediterranean resulted in the greatest weight loss, 12 lbs and 10 lbs, respectively. The low-fat diet resulted in a loss of 7 lbs. 86% of the study participants were men. The low carb and Mediterranean diets produced similar amounts of weight loss in the overall study results and in the men. The Mediterranean diet produced 3.8 kg (8.4 lbs) more weight loss on average than the low carb diet in women.In September 2008 the British Medical Journal published a meta-analysis which showed that following strictly the diet reduced the risk of dying from cancer and cardiovascular disease; the risk of developing
Parkinson`s
and
Alzheimer's disease.
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