How Effective is it?

Due to varying cultures, religions, economies and agriculture of the more than 16 countries which border the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean diet varies. The general diet principles include high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, olives, olive oil, nuts and seeds, moderate intake of wine and lean meats and low intake of processed foods.

There’s stronger evidence that the Mediterranean diet, and in particular the good fats it includes, can lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and even breast cancer.

New England Journal of Medicine reports that the Mediterranean diet reduces cardiovascular events, including death, by 30%. Plant polyphenols are identified as the main contributor for these heart-health benefits.

Star ratings reflect scores of 1 to 5 assigned to the Mediterranean diet in seven categories by nutritionists, specialists in diabetes and heart disease, and other diet experts on a ratings panel assembled by U.S. News. (See our Best Diets methodology.) Overall, it came in second place, losing out to the DASH diet for first. Its nutritional profile, safety and worth as a heart-healthy diet generated its highest marks. As a diet for weight loss, however, it got less-favorable marks from the experts.

Last week, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that, according to the fawning mainstream press, proved “conclusively” that the best diet in the world was the Mediterranean diet, that it protected everyone from heart disease and stroke, and that everyone in the world should be on it. Except the study showed no such thing.

Why does everyone seem to rave about the Mediterranean Diet? What kind of health benefits does it offer? Can you really lose weight by eating more olive oil? Today, in our Mediterranean diet review, we’re going to answer all of the questions you have about the Mediterranean diet and its benefits.

Is the Mediterranean diet healthy? Many of its traditional features are: its abundance of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes (beans), and whole grains. But for most people, particularly those who are overweight, an olive-oil-rich diet is likely problematic. The less oil consumed, the better.

The Mediterranean Diet works in different ways depending on which “Mediterranean” part of the Mediterranean Diet you are talking about. Because Italians eat differently from Greeks, who eat differently from the French and so on, it all depends on which style you choose as to how the actual diet goes.

Weight loss is an important issue for many people (and perhaps you) in the world today. You may be looking for a way to lose some weight and think that the Mediterranean diet is the way to go. Choosing a Mediterranean diet isn’t going to be a traditional “diet” or a quick fix.

Hard to define, but famously good for us, this way of eating is far from universally followed even in the countries it came from.

A number of studies have confirmed the health benefits of Mediterranean-style diet, including prevention and reversal of metabolic syndrome and more.

But there is one diet that has remained untouched. The Mediterranean Diet is championed throughout the diet industry.

Not only is the Mediterranean diet a tasty way to eat, drink and live, but it’s also a realistic and sustainable way to reduce disease-causing inflammation and lose weight, too (or maintain a healthy weight).

The Mediterranean diet plan is highly sensible, emphasizing fruits and vegetables, olive oil, fish and other healthy fare.

This is a review of 5 human studies that have been done on the Mediterranean diet, looking at weight loss, various diseases and the risk of death.