Mediterranean Diet - Pros and Cons

Over the past several decades, the Western diet has shown to cause obesity and a host of cardiovascular health problems. For health and weight loss reasons, many Americans are researching the pros and cons of a Mediterranean diet in an effort to lose weight and improve overall health.

The Pros of a Mediterranean Diet

A growing body of studies and documentation shows that a diet low in carbohydrates and the Mediterranean diet are not only safe, but also successful diet plans for losing weight.

Mediterranean Diet Cuts Cancer Risk

Research shows that a Mediterranean diet can cut the risk of developing cancer by a whopping twelve percent. And the health benefits of adopting a Mediterranean diet are achieved by embracing two aspects of the diet. By consuming a diet richer in "good" fats, such as those that are found in olive oil instead of fats found in packaged chips, cookies and cakes have a greater effect on health and reduce cancer by nine percent. Also, by making changes to the diet such as consuming more beans, peas, lentils and less meat could cut cancer risk by an astounding twelve percent.

By uncovering this data, researchers have given health conscious individuals an easy way to diet and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The pros of the Mediterranean diet are numerous, while the cons are minimum. By making a few painless changes to a diet, people can reduce the risk of cancer by following the Mediterranean diet plan over a period of only a few years.

Scientists Probe the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet

In a recent publication in which nearly twenty-six thousand Greek adults were studied over a stretch of eight years, researchers documented the dietary evidence. Dr. Dimitrios Trichopoulos, who presided over the study and is a professor of the prevention of cancer and epidemiology at Harvard University, stated that the results indicate the importance of diet in reducing the risk of cancer. Trichopoulos continued by stating that among the twenty-six thousand people whose diets were carefully monitored, the adults who more closely adhered to the Mediterranean diet were the individuals who were expected to have a less chance of developing cancer.

Health Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and Low-Carbohydrate Diet Plans

Indeed, more data points to the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet in Achieving Weight Loss.

Newly published findings were complete after a two-year study from Harvard University in which more than three hundred modestly obese Israeli individuals in their middle ages were studied. The data was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and documented that a Mediterranean diet and low-carbohydrate plan were found to be a beneficial alternative to low-fat diets. The study was funded by the foundation of the renowned Dr. Robert Atkins, who was a strict champion of the low-carbohydrate and high-protein diet regimen.

But researchers caution that before people add meat and butter in an effort to achieve a low-carbohydrate menu to their diet, be sure to keep this in mind: for weight loss goals, calories are more important than adding new foods to your diet strategy, according to Gary Foster, who is a well-known proponent of obesity research at the Temple University's Center for Obesity Research and Education.

Also noted from the Harvard study is the fact that men obviously have more muscle than do women, therefore, it is easier for men to lose weight.

The Health of the Mediterranean Diet

Among some of the primary explanations is believed to be the greater amount of olive oil used in the Mediterranean diet. Dissimilar to the American diet, which is high in animal fats, olive oil is known to lower cholesterol in the blood. It is also well known to reduce blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Analysis indicates that olive oil helps to prevent peptic ulcers and is also productive in the management of peptic ulcer disease, which may also be a beneficial factor in the sought after prevention of cancer. Also, the Mediterranean diet is high in red wine, which is believed to be a positive factor in the diet because of its overwhelming source of antioxidant properties.

The Traditional Mediterranean Diet

Because many countries are geographically near the border of the Mediterranean Sea, there are varying characteristics that create the benefits of the Mediterranean diet. The traditional Mediterranean diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes, which are processed but only minimally. Also, this diet is rich in olive oil, fish and poultry. Red meats are consumed in moderate amounts.

The prescriptive Mediterranean diet is scant in saturated fat with only eight percent of the total number of calories derived from saturated fat.

Consult a Dietician

If you or a loved one is considering the Mediterranean diet, learning more about the pros and cons of the Mediterranean diet or embarking on a more healthy lifestyle, it is recommended that you consult a professional dietician.