ΜEDITERRANEAN NUTRITION DURING COVID-19

As countries are taking stronger measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, self-quarantine may affect normal food-related practices. It is easier than you may think to maintain healthy eating habits with shelf-stable foods during your quarantine. Good nutrition is crucial for health, particularly in times when the immune system might need to fight back.

Mediterranean diet, the most ancient form of dietetic pattern has been linked with good health. This type of diet traditionally includes foods like fish, fruit, vegetables, beans, high-fibre bread and olive oil and is low in meat and dairy.

Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is traditionally regarded as the father of medicine, first expressed the importance of our daily food choices in body and spiritual health. In the 1960s, Greek people were living longer and had lower rates of chronic disease than the rest of the world, which is uninterruptedly connected to their diet.

 

Here are the major Mediterranean diet benefits that make it well worth trying:

 

Good for your heart

The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease, stroke, and early death, all associated with better heart health. That’s because the diet is high in heart-healthy omega-3s thanks to the seafood, nuts, and olive oil, as well as antioxidants from all those fruits and veggies.

Boost brain health

All healthy fats of Mediterranean cuisine are good for your brain, too. One study with 1,864 participants found that those who followed the Mediterranean diet were less likely to get Alzheimer’s or experience other types of cognitive decline in old age. In fact, there’s a direct correlation between fish consumption and lowered risk of Alzheimer’s.

 

Help with depression and anxiety

The carotenoids in kale, spinach, and eggs has been shown to boost the good bacteria in your gut, and in turn, your mood. One study found that when older adults followed the Mediterranean diet, they were less likely to experience depression.

 

Reducing the risk of cancer

When researchers looked at a combined 27 studies, considering over 2 million people, they found that the Med diet is the eating plan best linked to reduced risk of cancer morality, particularly colon cancer, breast cancer, and gastric cancer.

 

Living longer

As if all the above benefits aren’t enough, it’s also linked to living a longer life, primarily because of the aforementioned improved heart health. There’s a reason why so many of those “blue zones” are in the Mediterranean!