Better For Rich People

Participants were asked to adhere to an optimal Mediterranean diet. They were measured by a score indicating their intake of fruits and nuts, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish, fats, meat, dairy products, and alcohol intake. Participants following an optimal Mediterranean diet came from various walks of life. So why did their outcomes differ so much, Bonaccio said that those with more favorable health outcomes were more likely to report a diet rich in antioxidants or polyphenols, as well as whole-grain or organic foods and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

• Nuts as snacks. In “special occasions” Mediterranean Diet traditional desserts


• 4 of 10


• Consumption of fish, especially oily (or “bluish” one) three or four times a week


• High consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds

So, what is it made up of, What does the science say, Far from being a hype diet, the health benefits linked to the Mediterranean diet are supported by scientific evidence. 3. Alexandratos N, (2006) The Mediterranean diet in a world context. 4. Martinez-Gonzalez, M.A, et al. Mediterranean food pattern and the primary prevention of chronic disease: recent developments. US News and World Report Rankings (2016) Easiest Diets to Follow. 5. Bonaccio M, et al., (2017) High adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with cardiovascular protection in higher but not in lower socioeconomic groups: prospective findings from the Moli-sani study.

Does a Mediterranean-style diet follow American Heart Association dietary recommendations, Mediterranean-style diets are often close to our dietary recommendations, but they don’t follow them exactly. In general, the diets of Mediterranean peoples contain a relatively high percentage of calories from fat. This is thought to contribute to the increasing obesity in these countries, which is becoming a concern. People who follow the average Mediterranean diet eat less saturated fat than those who eat the average American diet. Among the countries surrounding the basin are the south of France, southern Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus. Another contributing factor to a European's better health could be the fact that they tend to walk more than Americans do. Questions have also been raised as to whether the Mediterranean diet contributes enough iron and calcium to the diet. Green vegetables and goat cheese have been found to contribute these nutrients respectively. The thing about the Mediterranean diet is that its foods are often rich and tasty thanks to olive oil.

No effect on LDL-C levels and a small reduction in TG levels (−13 mg/dL) were observed.

Figure 23.1. Mediterranean diet pyramid: a lifestyle for today. ] were published comparing three groups: (1) a group receiving the Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts; (2) a group receiving the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil; and (3) a group receiving a low-fat diet. No effect on LDL-C levels and a small reduction in TG levels (−13 mg/dL) were observed. Randomized clinical trials on the effect of the Mediterranean diet on the lipid profile of patients with HIV are scarce. ] advocates that the Mediterranean diet is effective in protecting against CVD. ]. Thus, the Mediterranean diet should be recommended to patients with HIV on HAART.