Mediterranean diet is classified as the best of the fourth consecutive year

Fortunately, the US News and World Report brought together a panel of experts to rank 39 common diets and name the best for 2021. The winner? The Mediterranean Diet for the fourth consecutive year, CNN reported.

“It is generally accepted that people in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular disease,” explained the US News and World Report. “The not-so-surprising secret is an active lifestyle, weight control and a diet low in red meat, sugar and saturated fat and rich in vegetables, nuts and other healthy foods.”

Several previous studies have shown the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. (Although the cuisines of several Mediterranean countries differ considerably, they share an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, vegetables and olive oil, with seafood, poultry and dairy products eaten in moderation.) Studies have shown that following this diet can reduce the risk of health problems like diabetes, hypertension, depression, memory loss and breast cancer, according to CNN. A 2018 study found that the diet can reduce the risk of mortality due to exposure to certain types of air pollution.

But it is not the only eating plan recommended by US News experts. Tied second in the ranking were the DASH Diet (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) and the Flexitarian Diet.

Brooklyn nutritionist Maya Feller told TODAY that the top three diets share common advantages, NBC News reported. They emphasize general health over weight loss and are easy to follow because they encourage eating beneficial food groups instead of restricting certain foods.

“These eating patterns are really reasonable, right? They are sustainable. They are customizable. They allow for flexibility. They allow for religious and cultural variations,” said Feller. “For the average person who is trying to affect their metabolic health, there are likely to be great clinical results.”

In addition, it is possible to follow the three without breaking the bank during a financially challenging time.

“The number of people with food insecurity has increased dramatically since the pandemic began,” added Feller. “We are going to have to think about accessibility. If you can get dry beans and if you have dry beans, you can make a million dishes and that fits all three eating patterns.”

The US News and World Report’s annual diet ranking is selected by nutrition and health experts based on scientific studies.

“We have assembled a panel of 24 experts who live and breathe diet, weight loss and obesity,” Angela Haupt, the magazine’s editor-in-chief, told CNN. “They score each diet on a number of different measures: how easy it is to follow, how likely it is to lead to long-term weight loss, how healthy and safe it is, and how effective it is in preventing or controlling chronic conditions like diabetes and illness. heart attacks. “

The ratings also include personalized lists for more specific dietary needs, including “Best diets for weight loss” (winner: the Flexitarian Diet), “Best diets for rapid weight loss” (winner: the HMR Program) and “Best herbal Diets (winner: the Mediterranean Diet, again).

Finally on the general list of diets are the Keto Diet with a high fat and low carbohydrate content and the Dukan Diet based on protein, which experts consider very restrictive.