The Mediterranean Diet, what is it and what does it do has become a topic of debate as the drive to find a better method to sustain health worldwide increases. This study will examine what the diet consists of and the associated health impact. Examining past application will enable an assessment of modern implementation with a data base that creates the capacity to predict a credible path forward for the diet. In the end, this assessment will have examined past effort, modern practice and future potential with the stated goal of developing a thorough understanding of what the Mediterranean Diet is and what is does.
The very nature of the Mediterranean diet has long been thought to provide a form of health that makes adherence to the diet a particularly beneficial attribute for any person (Sofi, Abbate, Gensini and Cassini 1189). Made up of a high concentration of fruits, vegetables and cereals with a liberal amount of fish the intake has long been regarded as the basic diet of the Italian, Greek and Spanish populations. Alongside the recognized benefits of the food is the accompaniment of a liberal dose of red wine, which has been linked to several beneficial qualities (1189). The combination of a well-balanced diet high in vitamins and low in dairy provided the very real potential for long term health.
Many segments of the health industry have proven to benefit from the long term application of the Mediterranean Diet (Sofi, Abbate, Gensini and Cassini 1189). With evidence supporting the claims in the areas of overall mortality, cancer, heart attack and neurodegenerative disease have all been shown to be positively influenced by the proper implementation of the diet. With diligent and consistent application Sofi, Abbate, Gensini and Cassini (1190) assert that the Mediterranean diet has the capacity to improve a person’s health to a substantial degree.
Feart, Samieri, Rondeau, Amieva, Portet, Dartigues, Scarmeas, Barberger-Gateau (638) argue that while the Mediterranean diet has been linked to several beneficial health consequences, the associated component with cognitive decline is less than certain. While a physical boon in all respects, the ability for the diet to assist in the maintenance of the mental capacities in people has not been proven. Findings that cite the presence of high consumption of plants, vegetables, fruits, cereals, and legumes, alongside a very high intake of olive oil as the primary mean of monounsaturated fat, fish, low dairy, meat and poultry can provide the potential to inhibit the elements that commonly surround the loss of cognitive ability (639). With evidence just surfacing as to the impact of the diet on the mental functions, the possibility for the approach to be of even further value is illustrated.
The science behind the Mediterranean diet puts forward the hypothesis that the approach is beneficial due to the presence of essentials vitamins and building blocks (Feart, Samieri, Rondeau, Amieva, Portet, Dartigues, Scarmeas, Barberger-Gateau 639). The combination of fish, Vitamins B12 and folate, monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants is a formidable series of beneficial substances that has the potential to boost the human system in many ways.
In order to assess which of the elements of the Mediterranean diet hold the most promise Trichopoulou, Bamia and Trichopoulous (1) examined each individual component of the typical food and beverage opportunities. Overall, it was the association of a low or moderate intake of red meat with a very high and consistent intake of the food sources found in the Mediterranean diet that were deemed to have created the means to induce a long life. Each of the elements of the diet were found to be beneficial, yet the absence of negative influence such as a high presence of red meat or too much ethanol, contributed as much or more than the diet itself to a sustained sense of good health (3). In every instance it was the long term, sustained use of the diet that provided the benefits.
In conclusion
The Mediterranean diet has long been heralded as a means to prolong life in healthy dynamic manner. This study has produced evidence that supports the overall argument that the approach to diet is a positive method. Alongside the base elements of a balanced diet low in red meat the diet is well stocked in the base vitamins and minerals that are essential to a healthy and well-rounded life. With the presence of red wine responsible for a large portion of the diets success, the mental and physical benefits are clearly illustrated.
Each of the individual components of the Mediterranean diet has been found to be beneficial. The most good comes in the correct combination of the fruits, vegetables and wine that serve to build a strong and agile body. Yet, the most good from the diet comes in the form of a long term, sustained commitment. This act of patience and effort has served to payoff for many people.
In the end, there is no one diet that will extend a life or prohibit disease. However, the components of the Mediterranean diet have been demonstrated to benefit a large portion of society and visibly increase the satisfaction and quality of life. In the end, success in this diet will be found with diligent long term effort associated with a positive healthy lifestyle.
Works cited
Feart, Catherine, Cecilia Samieri, Wirginie Rondeau, Helene Amieva, Florence Portet, Jean Dartigues, Nikoloaos Scarmeas and Pascale Barberger-Gateau. "Adherence to a Mediterranean Diet, Cognitive Decline, and Risk of Dementia." The Journal of American Medical Association, 302. 6 (2009): 638-648. Print.
Sofi, Francesco, Rosanna Abbatee, Gian Gensini and Alessandro Casini. "Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92. 5 (2010): 1189-1196. Print.
Trichopoulou, Antonia, Christina Bamia and Dimitrios Trichopoulos. "Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study." British Medical Journal, 338. 1 (2009): 1-3. Print.
