Nowadays diets are all the rage for weight loss and shedding pounds.

People are obsessed with the Ketogenic diets, the DASH diet, the Nordic diet, HMR, Atkins… The list goes on and on.

While many of these diets are great for losing weight in the short term, in some places in the world–get ready–people never get fat to begin with! Ok, of course somebody gets fat everywhere, but the Mediterranean countries are a well-documented case of places where people have had a similar diet for as long as anyone can remember.

What’s amazing about the diet that the Mediterranean countries have is that not only is it absolutely delicious, filled with so many vibrant foods that are appetizing, but in many of these places, people eat 3-5 meals a day, plus snacks. Can you imagine a place where people have a snack with every drink, where they pour olive oil abundantly on almost every edible item? Where they love to fry things, eat meat frequently, and indulge themselves and their families?

Those of you who have visited or lived abroad in countries like Spain or Italy may have marveled at the locals.  They seem to eat 20 times a day, drink lots of wine, smoke, sleep less than you think is necessary, and yet they are healthier than Americans and Brits, skinnier, and always so glamorous!

THE BENEFITS

Well, it does sound too good to be true, but science is time and time again proving that there are benefits to the Meditteranean diet:

  • Lower rates of obesity
  • Lower rates of cancer
  • Better overall quality of life
  • Less heart disease

And we’re convinced that as soon as science can prove it, it will add “more deliciousness!”

THE SCIENCE

MD is an excellent example of a sustainable diet

In the past year, a number of studies have found conclusive links between the Mediterranean Diet (or MD) and cancer prevention, as well as longevity.

  • An international team of medical researchers “found evidence that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with reduced risk of developing bladder cancer, suggesting a positive effect of the diet as a whole and not just one component.”
  • Another international study found associations between the MD and reduced lymphoma risk.
  • A Greek study found associations between the MD and longevity: “MD is an excellent example of a sustainable diet, in which nutrition, local food production, food safety, culture, biodiversity and sustainability are strongly interconnected.”

However, there are concrete reasons for it beyond culture and lifestyle. Many of the foods that are eaten in the Mediterranean region are authentic superfoods, which we will explore more in-depth in a future post. In addition, the physical activity that people have in many of these countries is much higher than in the US.

For example, in Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese towns and cities, people tend to live in “liveable” neighborhoods where you don’t need a car to get around and end up walking everywhere. Since the old towns of these countries are utterly car-unfriendly, having a car is a hassle, and the hidden benefit is having to use your two feet to move around.

It is not a bad idea for anyone who is serious about living long and well to take some serious considerations regarding the topic. Diet is one important element, but many people don’t think about living in a place where they could walk everywhere or ride their bikes.

The latest science seems to leave little doubt about the fact that the MD is indeed one of the world’s best diets to follow, but you can make it even more effective by taking a look at your overall lifestyle and thus ensure a healthier and longer life.