I ran across a good summary of the health benefits of Mediterranean-style eating at Medical News Today, published online May 6, 2009. An excerpt:
The following health benefits have been observed by people who have a Mediterranean diet:
- Longer lifespan
- Lower risk of dying at any age
- Lower risk of dying from heart disease
- Lower risk of dying from cancer
- Lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk of hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Lower risk of raised cholesterol levels
- Lower risk of becoming obese
- Lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
Not mentioned above is the lower risk of Parkinson’s Disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. You’ll also find a fair description of the traditional Mediterranean diet.
