Dispelling the Myth: A Closer Look at the Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean diet is often associated with meat, but this is not entirely accurate. With many countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, such as Israel, Italy, Greece, Spain, and France, each with its unique cuisine, the definition of a Mediterranean diet can be quite confusing. So what exactly is this diet that has been shown to prolong life and reduce disease?

A typical Mediterranean diet includes lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, especially tomatoes, a lot of fish instead of other meats, a daily cup of Edom, high-quality olive oil and olives, yogurt, bananas, hard cheeses, but relatively few dairy products. The use of natural raw materials with almost no processed foods is also essential.

Recent research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition sheds light on the importance of paying attention to small details like calorie intake when following a specific diet. In the study, 400 people were divided into two groups: one group was given the rules of the Mediterranean diet and told to eat according to those rules as much as they wanted while the other group was given a Mediterranean menu with restricted calories. After one year