The Mediterranean diet is a diet that is recommended by many nutritionists and dieticians. It is not a program aimed at slimming, but in reality it is a real lifestyle, of the Mediterranean and which today is also used in other regions. The Mediterranean diet can bring significant health benefits, as it can offer a good balance between the essential nutrients for the well-being of the body. Let’s see what the main benefits are and why the Mediterranean diet is considered the best in the world.

What is the Mediterranean diet?
The Mediterranean diet is a diet that was proclaimed in 2010 by Unesco “Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. The diet can bring numerous health benefits, as it is a varied, healthy, balanced meal plan that does not prohibit the consumption of any food. Following this diet can help keep all the essential nutrients in balance for the well-being of our body as:

• can help protect against cardiovascular disease;
• provides for the consumption of foods of natural origin;
• respect the environment.

The food pyramid
his balanced dietary model is mainly based on the consumption of: cereals, bread, vegetables, olive oil, fish and wine, represented through the so-called “food pyramid”, a practical subdivision of the rules of proper nutrition that puts at the base all those foods that it is possible to consume more and at the top those that it is better to limit.

At the base of the pyramid we can therefore find: water with bread, pasta, potatoes, rice and cereals, then fruit, vegetables and legumes, higher up, olive oil, milk and dairy products, then eggs, white meat and fish, up to to get to the top, where we find the foods that we must limit our consumption: red meat, cold cuts and sweets.

The Mediterranean diet has three fundamental characteristics:

• low consumption of saturated fats;
• high presence of dietary fiber and carbohydrates;
• high intake of monounsaturated fats resulting from the consumption of olive oil.
• Properties and beneficial effects

The Mediterranean diet seems to be able to bring many benefits to our health. Follow this diet:

• can help improve memory and concentration;
• can help protect against oxidative stress;
• it can help reduce the likelihood of developing chronic kidney disease or the onset of neurodegenerative and dementia-related diseases;
• can help reduce bad cholesterol values.

The possible beneficial effects would derive from the daily consumption of fruit, vegetables, legumes, cereals, white meats, reducing the consumption of red meats, industrial products and sweets. Consuming olive oil and dried fruit, for example, can be a valid support for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.