How To Enhance The Prevention of Heart Disease

Four Primary Reasons Why the “Mediterranean Diet” Promotes Heart
Health

Introduction

The term “Mediterranean Diet,” while widely in use in the 21st
century, actually is something of a misnomer. In reality, there
is not a diet regimen that is common to all of the countries of
the Mediterranean region. With that said, there is some
commonality between what people of the different nations of the
Mediterranean eat on a regular basis. Equally important, there
are food and beverage items that are not often found in the
diets of the peoples of the Mediterranean.

Statistically speaking, men and women who do live in the
Mediterranean region experience a notably lower incidence of
heart disease than do people in many other points around the
globe. There is some consensus amongst physicians, medical
researchers and nutrition experts that the diet of the
Mediterranean region does play a role in reducing the rate and
incidence of heart disease.

While the Mediterranean Diet may not be a letter perfect heart
healthy regimen, it is a far superior dining plan than most
other programs people have adopted in different places around
the world. There are four primary reasons why the Mediterranean
Diet is the type of diet regimen that promotes heart health.

Low in Saturated Fat

One of the primary reasons that the Mediterranean Diet promotes
heart health is found in the fact that it is a diet that is low
in saturated fat. The Mediterranean Diet is a diet that includes
the consumption of healthy amounts of monounsaturated fat. The
human body actually does require the intake of some fat on a
daily basis. The most appropriate type of fat to consume is
monounsaturated fat.

A significant number of people who are not paying particularly
close attention to their eating habits can be found consuming
significant amounts of saturated fat each and every day.
Saturated fat raises “bad” blood cholesterol levels which is a
precursor to heart disease and stroke.

Monounsaturated fat does not raise blood cholesterol levels.
When eaten in moderation, monounsaturated fat provide the body
with an element it does need for proper functioning and overall
good health.

High in Fruits, Vegetables and Whole Grains

Another of the reasons that the Mediterranean Diet promotes
heart health is the inclusion of significant amounts of fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, red beans and nuts in daily dining
routines. Multiple scientific studies that conducted on every
continent demonstrated time and again that a diet that includes
significant amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables together with
whole grains, beans and low-fat nuts is a regimen that reduces
the risk and incidence of heart disease.

Low in High Fat Dairy Products

While non-fat and low-fat dairy products can play a role in
advancing a healthy diet, fatty dairy products can have an
adverse effect on the heart, other organs and certain bodily
functions over time. The Mediterranean Diet involves the use of
only a limited amount of dairy products — including very few
eggs. When it comes to the inclusion of dairy products, for the
most part non-fat or very low fat products are utilized. Heavy
creams are not common in the Mediterranean Diet.

Due to the fact that the Mediterranean Diet relies on non-fat
and low-fat dairy products (in only limited amounts) and
virtually no eggs (which are high in cholesterol), people who
follow this diet scheme have been found to have a lower
incidence of heart disease and related conditions.

Low in Red Meat

Numerous studies that have been conducted over the past thirty
years have demonstrated that a diet high in the consumption of
red meat can have a harmful impact on the heart. The
Mediterranean Diet is very low in red meat. In fact, red meat
rarely is included within a meal. If red meat is served, the
portion provided is notable small.

The Mediterranean Diet favors lean fish and some other types of
white meats, but again in small portions. The manner in which
red meat is limited in the Mediterranean Diet, combined with
other elements of the regime, leads experts in the field of
health and nutrition to conclude that the diet plan promotes a
healthy heart.

Conclusion

If you are concerned about developing a healthy lifestyle,
including proper dining habits, adopting the fundamentals of the
Mediterranean Diet would be a positive step in the correct
direction. The elements of the Mediterranean Diet appear well
suited to promoting heart health and an overall hale lifestyle.

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