The Mediterranean Diet

Mediterranean diets are eating patterns that have garnered international attention since the 1960s after Dr. Ancel Keys found that different populations in the Mediterranean region had lower rates of cardiovascular disease. Although this relationship has been difficult to define due to discernible variations among different Mediterranean populations, commonalities include high vegetable, fruit, legume, and nut consumption; moderate alcohol and dairy use; and minimal meat intake. Multiple scores have been developed to measure adherence to this array of eating patterns and effects on various health outcomes. There is promising scientific evidence pertaining to cardiometabolic-based chronic disease (particularly dyslipidemia, adiposity, and dysglycemia drivers), cancer, and overall mortality. The mechanisms of these relationships are grounded in the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of a predominantly plant-based diet.