Those looking to live a longer and healthier life often turn to diet to improve themselves.
Among the many healthy diet options available, a consistently popular choice is the Mediterranean diet which can offer a number of health benefits.
As well as a generally balanced lifestyle, the veg heavy diet may help people with weight loss, a longer life with and fewer health conditions.
According to the Mirror, the diet is linked to a reduced risk of age-related diseases.
Here is everything that you need to know about the diet and its benefits.
What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that's rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and peas, unrefined grains, olive oil and fish.
It keeps dairy, meat and saturated fats to a minimum. And you can have a glass of red wine with dinner without cheating.
The diet has been consistently linked with health benefits including helping reducing obesity risk, and it can lower your risk for chronic issues such as cardiovascular diseases.
Scientific studies conducted on this way of eating show that the average lifespan can be extended - as we’ve seen from looking at countries in the Mediterranean that tend to have good levels of longevity - and what’s more, better quality of life in their ageing populations.
In many countries, fresh fruit and vegetables are widely used to create tasty, healthy meals.
Frozen ready meals and canned food aren’t really common.
Seafood is also widely available at a good price, meaning that it’s easier to get life-enhancing omega-3 oils into your diet.
Mediterranean diet for brain health
According to one study published in the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, eating a Mediterranean-style diet may help protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers found that eating a diet high in unsaturated fats, fish, fruits, and vegetables and low in dairy and red meat helped to cleanse the brain of the protein build-up associated with memory loss and dementia.
Study participants involved in the research performed better on cognitive tests and showed less brain volume shrinkage and protein biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s, further proving how diet can help improve brain health.
Mediterranean diet for healthy weight
Many foods of the Mediterranean diet have high antioxidant content and it has been found that diets rich in antioxidants reap health benefits correlated with a significant decrease in weight gain.
More and more research is also confirming how good fat found in olive oil does not make you fat.
Of course, as with everything, moderation is always best but olive oil contains monounsaturated fat which is great for overall health and the waistline.
Key health benefits evident from adopting a Mediterranean diet include:
- Preventing heart disease and strokes
- Keeping you agile
- Reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s
- Halving the risk of Parkinson’s disease
- Increasing longevity
- Protecting against type 2 diabetes.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
