As a young scientist more than 50 years ago, Ancel Keys showed that among people in countries where fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful and olive oil flows freely - Greece, southern Italy, southern France, and parts of North Africa and the Middle East - heart disease is exceedingly rare. In countries where people fill their plates with beef, cheese, and other foods high in saturated fat - places like the US - it's a leading cause of death. kostenlos filme schauen, davon.
Thanks to Keys' efforts, the Mediterranean diet and way of cooking have become synonymous with good health. But the cuisine that's touted as the healthiest in the world has taken some knocks lately.
In the past few years, Italian scientists have linked bread, pasta, and rice made from refined grains (think white bread) to an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly thyroid, colon, and stomach cancers. Two separate nutrition studies published in 1998 found similar results. Meanwhile, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) issued a scathing report on the food served in Italian restaurants.
Menu staples like fettuccine alfredo are often laden with as much saturated fat as three pints of butter-almond ice cream, the center found. A serving of fried calamari may have the cholesterol equivalent of a four-egg omelet.
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Much of the Mediterranean food and cooking found today can be traced back to times of antiquity. The area that compromises the Mediterranean consists of three continents and more than 15 countries. Some of the countries that influence the Mediterranean diet are: Portugal, southern Spain, southern France, southern Italy, Greece, Crete, southern Turkey, western Syria, western Lebanon, western Israel, northern Eygpt, northern Libya, northern Algeria and northern Morocco. It was on the shores of the Mediterranean that Western Civilization had its beginnings.
The olive vine, wheat, seafood, and meats were enhanced by Arab spices from the East. The Arabs were said to have the greatest influence on the Mediterranean Diet, bringing nuts, saffron, rice, spinach, sugar cane, and oranges into the region.
Protection from chronic diseases!
In a recent study (1) the diets of more than 22,000 people living in Greece were ranked according to how closely they adhered to the traditional Greek style Mediterranean diet. During the 4 years of the study, it was found that the closer people followed the traditional diet the less likely they were to die from either heart disease or cancer, with slightly greater protection against heart disease than cancer. Overall, people following the Mediterranean diet most closely were 25% less likely to die during the study period than those who did not, suggesting that those closely following the Mediterranean diet end up dying later than those who do not.
Tips:
- Plant foods (grains, beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables) are
fantastic sources of fiber and cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
- Some typically Mediterranean vegetables to enjoy include
eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and bell peppers.
- Use full-flavored extra-virgin olive oil for dipping bread
and making salad dressings. Choose light olive oil for baking.
Warnings:
If you drink wine, having a glass of red wine with a meal may
decrease heart disease risk. But there is no need to start drinking
if you don't already imbibe. Avoid alcohol when it might put you
or others at risk, such as during pregnancy, when you are breast-feeding,
or when you are going to be driving.
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