In the early 60s, began an investigation of the World Health Organization to study the eating habits of people from seven different countries (Greece, Italy, Yugoslavia, Holland, Finland, USA and Japan). Lasted 30 years and took place about 13,000 people aged 40-59 years. The results showed that people living in Mediterranean countries, mainly in Greece, showed the lowest mortality rates from cancer and coronary heart disease, and had the highest average life than residents of other countries. Scientists are trying to discover the secret, led to the conclusion that the particular and natural way of life (work in rural areas, increased physical activity), but the simple and frugal diet, which became known as the Mediterranean diet was the cause phenomenon.Recent this major survey of the Medical School of Athens University School of Public Health at Harvard, published a year ago, confirms that the Mediterranean diet prolongs life and protects against heart disease and cancer.
The main features of the Mediterranean diet is shown schematically in the Food Pyramid.
The Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits and vegetables and includes pasta, bread, cereals, rice and potatoes, poultry and fish, dairy pro'i'onta, some very little processed food and minimal red meat. At the base of the pyramid are cereals, mainly unprocessed (whole grain bread, pasta, rice). For the potatoes according to new data likely to be associated with risk of developing type II diabetes so it is recommended that weekly rather than daily consumption. But contains two key ingredients: Olive oil is the main source of fat and wine. The daily intake of milk is mainly in the form of cheese or yogurt. Sweets eaten a few times a week, often the position of the sugar gets honey. Red meat is almost prohibited and consumed a few times a month in small quantities, unlike the chicken and fish are consumed each week. Very common is the consumption of wine (one or two glasses of wine each day). Emphasized the nutritional value of fish due to their content of omega-3 fats, which act actively on the cardiovascular system. The Mediterranean diet significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and therefore coronary heart disease, since the fat comes from olive oil and fish. The total fat intake in the Mediterranean diet, reaching up to 40% of total energy intake, but also increase the risk of coronary heart disease. This confirms the view that the risk for coronary heart disease related to type and not the total fat intake. The Mediterranean diet also reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, because it reduces the concentration of glucose, insulin and bad cholesterol (LDL). The oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet energetic action accustomeds cancers such as breast and prostate. A study by the University of Oxford shows that olive oil reduces the risk of colon cancer.
So in conclusion we can conclude that the Mediterranean diet is rich in nutrients such as monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins and flavonoids, fiber and polyunsaturated fatty acids that provide the human body beneficials properties. A good would be started from the base of Food this olive oil.
And why not an extra virgin olive oil as the IRIS Olive Oil.
Fay Vasiliadi
Dietitian, Nutrition Consultant
Phone: 22910 41991