Why You Should Try The Mediterranean Diet

There are so many diet ‘trends’ around, and you might be a little suspicious of them - after all, they can’t all be the best ones, and they can’t all work. In fact, aren’t some of them even dangerous, and shouldn’t they be avoided? 

It’s true that it can be hard to know exactly what’s what when it comes to diets, and it’s also true that some can do more harm than good, but don’t let that put you off finding something that’s going to work for you and ensure you get your health and weight on track in the way you want to. One that you might be interested in is the Mediterranean diet; here are some of the reasons why you could consider it being the right diet for you. 

Heart Health 

One of the best things about the Mediterranean diet is that it’s great for your heart health, and many different studies over the years have shown this to be true. This is because this particular diet can lower the risk of heart disease because it contains plenty of monounsaturated fats (like you can get from olive oil and nuts, for example). These help to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol levels in your body, and that helps to keep your heart working well. 

Weight Management 

Unlike other diets that can be hugely restrictive (which makes them hard to follow properly), the great thing about the Mediterranean diet is that it won’t leave you feeling as though you’re missing out on anything, and it helps you feel full when you’ve eaten. It does this by focusing on tasty, fresh food like dolmades, for example, that are rich in nutrients and keep you feeling satisfied for longer so you don’t end up bingeing.  

Long Life 

As we mentioned above, there have been lots of studies on the Mediterranean diet to work out exactly why it’s so good and how it helps, and one result that these studies have come up with is that it seems to help people live longer. Not only that, but those who enjoy a Mediterranean diet also have a better quality of life, so they enjoy the years they’re living even more. The food you’ll eat in the Mediterranean diet has a lot of anti-inflammatory properties because it’s full of antioxidants, and that, combined with the fact that the Mediterranean diet is often eaten in a group setting (in Mediterranean countries, at least) seems to show this is true. 

Diabetes Management 

Diabetes is a big problem for a lot of people, and although some will need medication to help control it, others might find that switching their diet to a healthier one can do the trick - and the Mediterranean diet is something many people find really works. The fact is that the Mediterranean diet is linked to lower blood sugar and better insulin control, which makes dealing with diabetes much easier. 

Brain Health 

On top of all these positive physical reasons to eat the Mediterranean diet, it can also help with your brain health. It’s actually associated with a lower risk of developing cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease thanks to the healthy fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties it has. 

At the end of the day, remember that a diet is only right for you if you can sustain it for the rest of your life. This isn’t about trying something for a few months and then jumping to the “next best thing”. Find what truly works for you and you’ll have much more success!