Ever wondered why people from the Mediterranean region seem so happy and full of life? If you have, then you must know that the positive moods and good health of these people are due to their lifestyle and unprocessed diets.
Considered by many nutritionists as one of the most heart-healthy ways of eating, the Mediterranean diet is built upon healthy fats and plant-based foods. Additionally, it is filled with anti-inflammatory foods. Research shows that the Mediterranean diet can protect against the development of obesity, heart diseases, dementia, cancer, depression, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and metabolic complications.
The Many Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet
If you’re thinking about transitioning to a Mediterranean diet, then you must know what it includes. A traditional Mediterranean diet consists of the following:
- A variety of vegetables and fruits such as eggplant, spinach, lentils, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, grapes, chickpeas, and beans
- A variety of whole-grain foods such as couscous, pasta, whole wheat bread, brown rice, and oats
- Healthy unsaturated fats nuts, soybean, olive oil, flaxseed, canola, and other healthy unsaturated fats.
- Low amounts of butter, palm oil, coconut oil, and other unhealthy saturated fats
- Fish such as sardines, herring, lake trout, mackerel, salmon, and tuna at least twice a week
- Moderate amounts of low-fat dairy products such as milk, yogurt, or cheese on a daily or weekly basis.
- Limited consumption of red meat. Ideally, once a month.
- Moderate consumption of eggs and poultry (once per week)
- Limited consumption of sweets and other sugary foods (only a few times per week)
By following the Mediterranean diet, you will be able to improve your health over time and lead a long healthy life. This is because the Mediterranean diet provides the following health benefits.
1. Low Amounts of Processed Foods and Sugar
Food and ingredients that are very close to nature are part of the Mediterranean diet. The diet includes vegetables, fruits, unrefined cereal products, legumes like peas and beans, small portions of animal products, and olive oil.
Unlike the American diet, the Mediterranean diet contains low amounts of sugar and is practically free of artificial ingredients, such as flavor enhancers, preservatives, and high fructose corn syrup. Sweet dishes in the Mediterranean diet include desserts made with natural sweeteners such as honey.
The diet promotes the consumption of small amounts of meat, and it is beneficial for people looking to lose weight or trying to control factors such as Omega-3 fatty acid intake, heart health, and cholesterol.
2. Lose Weight in a Healthy Way
A significant health benefit of the Mediterranean diet is healthily losing weight. The Mediterranean diet is both sustainable and worthwhile. With this diet, you can easily and naturally manage your weight and reduce fat intake.
This is because the Mediterranean diet focuses on the consumption of healthy fats while keeping carbs relatively low and improving a person’s intake of high-quality proteins. With a high amount of seafood and quality dairy products, you can lose weight in a healthy, no-deprivation kind-of-way.
As they contain healthy fatty acids, grass-fed meats, dairy products, and fish can help you to feel full, improve your mood and energy levels, control blood sugar, and manage weight gain after you consume them. This will improve your overall health, making you feel better. You can enhance this feeling of wellness by revitalizing your skin with a natural and Australian made product such as the Medes Australian Walnut Body Scrub.
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3. Lower Blood Pressure
Have you changed your bread from white to whole wheat? If yes, then you shouldn’t stop there. There is a whole range of grains for you to explore, including barley, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oatmeal, and corn. But why would you want to do that? Several studies have linked the consumption of whole grains to lower blood pressure. The reason for this is that the amino acid known as glutamic acid that is present inside the whole grains.
In addition to the above, whole grains are good soluble fiber sources which can help sweep out cholesterol from the body. Moreover, you’re less likely to overeat as fiber helps you feel full for much longer.
4. Improved Mood and Better Cognitive Health
A Mediterranean diet is an excellent way to naturally treat dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, preserve memory, and cure Parkinson’s disease. If your brain doesn’t get the right amount of dopamine, then you may suffer from cognitive disorders. Dopamine is a chemical in your body required for thought processing, mood regulation, and proper body movements.
You can fight age-related cognitive decline by eating healthy fats such as nuts, olive oil, and anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits and vegetables. The Mediterranean diet prevents impaired brain function by countering the harmful effects of exposure to inflammation, causing food allergies or poor nutrition, free radicals, and toxicity. Finally, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes probiotic foods such as kefir and yogurt. These foods are known to build a healthy gut, which is tied to better memory and cognitive function.
With the Mediterranean diet taking care of your physical and mental health, you should have enough time to focus on your outward appearance, such as the health of your skin. A product that can make this job more comfortable for you is the natural and Australian-made Medes Bamboo Stem Body Scrub 300g.
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As seen above, there are many benefits to eating the Mediterranean diet. These benefits explain exactly why nutritionists everywhere highly recommend the Mediterranean diet.