The Mediterranean diet is voted No. 1 for the fourth consecutive year.
Looking for a healthy diet regime for your fitness and nutrition in general? We say that you can simply opt for the Mediterranean diet. Loaded with the goodness of fruits and vegetables, the Mediterranean diet was recently named the best diet of the year 2021. This is the fourth consecutive year that this popular diet has reached the top (in the general healthy diet category) of the USA News & World Report. Then, the second position on the list saw a tie between the DASH diet (which is praised for its nutritional completeness and control of hypertension) and the Flexitarian diet (a flexible diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and grains, and also allows you to enjoy your favorite meat sometimes).
What makes the Mediterranean diet the best diet of the year:
The Mediterranean diet – a plant-based diet loaded with fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, olive oil and others – has repeatedly established a strong link with decreasing health risks. Several studies around the world have confirmed that it is good for weight loss, intestinal health, diabetes and more. In addition to being the best overall healthy diet, it also reached the first stop on the list of the best diabetes diet, the best diet for a healthy heart, the best plant-based diet and the best diet for healthy eating. Let’s find out its benefits.
Here are 5 benefits of the Mediterranean diet:
1. Promotes heart health
According to the American Heart Association (ADA), the Mediterranean diet can help you achieve a healthy eating pattern that can help you fight cardiovascular disease and reduce your risk.
2. Manage Diabetes
A study, published in the journal Diabetes Care, said that following a Mediterranean diet can help improve cognition in type 2 diabetics. “The abundant antioxidants, vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids in the Mediterranean diet can improve neurovascular health and reduce oxidative stress, metabolites and chronic inflammation, “said Josiemer Mattei, Department of Nutrition, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA and the study’s lead author.
3. Improve intestinal health
Several studies have also proven that this diet is beneficial for the overall health of the gut. According to a previous study, presented at UEG Week Barcelona 2019, Mediterranean foods offer anti-inflammatory properties that help healthy intestinal bacteria to flourish.
4. Promote brain health
Did you know that a diet full of fruits, vegetables and nuts can also be healthy for your brain? A study, published in the journal Neurology, found that the Mediterranean diet can help you reach a younger brain, slowing down the process of cognitive decline.
Promoted
5. Prevent breast cancer
One of the main concerns among women worldwide, the risks of breast cancer can be reduced with the Mediterranean diet, said a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine. According to the study, “The study results suggest a beneficial effect of a MeDiet (Mediterranean diet) supplemented with extra virgin olive oil in the primary prevention of breast cancer.”
Which diet do you follow? Let us know about your diet in the comments section below.
About Somdatta SahaExplorer – that’s what Somdatta likes to call himself. Whether in terms of food, people or places, all she wants is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make your day.