For decades inhabitants along the Mediterranean coastline have lived long robust lives, virtually chronic-disease free. Their secret is what we now know as the Mediterranean diet, a diet rich in plant foods and mono saturated fats. It has only been recently, in about the last 50 years that their diet lifestyle has become known and popular throughout the world.

The Mediterranean people’s daily food consumption consists of an abundance of vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and red meat. They also eat small amounts of yogurt and cheese, eggs and drink moderate amounts of wine. Olive oil is their main source of dietary fat. People of the region emphasize the importance of eating quality local food whenever possible and processed foods are simply not consumed. They do not look as their eating as a diet, but rather a lifestyle. Their diet is high in micronutrients antioxidants, vitamins and minerals all known to aid in disease prevention.

People of the Mediterranean region are not sedentary as they get plenty of daily physical activity which is also thought to play a role in their great health. The benefits of following the eating plan of the Mediterranean diet are numerous. Mediterranean diet followers tend to live longer by avoiding such diseases as heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The mono saturated fats in the diet consumed in the form of olive oil, avocados and fish are considered good fats and are anti-inflammatory and are also known to fight disease at the cellular level. They work to lower LDL cholesterol and prevent high blood pressure and heart disease.

The diet’s high consumption of plant based foods and mono saturated fats are thought to help prevent type-2 diabetes and obesity. The diets high fiber content which slows down the digestion process preventing blood sugar spikes is also thought to help in this area. The moderate consumption of alcohol (generally one glass at lunch and one at dinner) are also thought to be a factor in preventing obesity and type-2 diabetes. Bottom line is that overall benefits of the diet just make sense. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains coupled with daily exercise are highly known to prevent disease and help people live longer more productive lives.