The Problem with the Mediterranean Diet

The Problem with the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the foods that is known to be healthy. It’s among the top-rated diets out there and provides a lower risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Numerous studies have linked it to these benefits. (1Trusted Source). There is a lot to celebrate about the Mediterranean Diet, but there’s also a large problem that is not being discusse enough. As it is based on traditional eating patterns, a Mediterranean diet typically excludes the cuisines of many other nations with Mediterranean coastlines.

Plus, there’s a lot of discussion over whether the current interpretation of healthy eating guidelines is as flexible or accessible as it’s ready out to be. There are widespread concerns about being able to eat foods that are easily available in today’s society. This article explores more about how we can make the Mediterranean Diet more accessible, regardless of cultural heritage and preferred foods, and some of the problems with the initial research.

The Mediterranean Diet isn’t representative of the entire Mediterranean region
The Mediterranean Diet
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21 countries touch the Mediterranean Sea: Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel Italy Lebanon Libya Malta Montenegro Morocco Slovenia Spain Syria Tunisia Turkey. However, the Mediterranean Diet is primarily based on the traditional cuisines of southern Europe. It excludes cuisines from Eastern Europe and Middle-Eastern countries in the region. The studies have been reference as the “Seven Countries Study,” and if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. The researchers studied rates of heart disease, diabetes, and risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking in each of these countries. (2).

The Mediterranean Diet
The study conclude that these dietary patterns in Italy. Greece were associate with lower rates of heart disease and all-cause mortality. Keys grew to promote diet changes as a way to extend your life. (2). Even experts have expressed concern about the study conducted by Keys. Another recent article published in the Journal of Critical Dietetics points out that, while it collected data only from men and did not include countries like Japan, its methods come under serious criticism. Early research didn’t include countries outside of Europe in their study, causing the Mediterranean Diet to lack some traditional aspects.