For many years, researchers have noted that people who live around the Mediterranean and stick closely to the traditional Mediterranean Diet have had lower incidences of Western world disease such as heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. A study into chronic disease prevention through the University of Florence has shown that this healthy diet has even more health benefits than originally thought.

A study from the University of Florence.

Researchers at the University of Florence, Italy, tracked over 1.5 million followers of the Mediterranean diet for periods of up to 18 years. Interestingly, one of the items studied and graded was the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and the cuisine they used most often. Data was compiled from 12 international studies.

The British Medical Journal published the findings in September, 2008.

Disease prevention findings.

The research has shown that following the principles of the Mediterranean Diet relatively strictly has a significant impact on reducing chronic and serious diseases such as cancer, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, and heart disease.

Adhering closely to the traditional Mediterranean Diet saw a 6% decrease in cancer levels, 13% decrease in both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and a 9% reduction incardiovascular disease. Researchers noted that: A Mediterranean diet eating programme has been found clinically relevant it seems for public health and is encouraged to help prevent major chronic diseases."

What is the Mediterranean diet?

Fresh fruits, grains, fish, vegetables, nuts and extra virgin olive oil are the base platform that make up the Mediterranean diet. Alcohol, meat and dairy are consumed in low quantities in the Mediterranean diet. Mediterranean food is rich in natural antioxidants andmonounsaturated fats, as found in olive oil, canola oil, and flax seed oil.

Conclusion.

Significant reduction in Parkinson's, cardiovascular disease, cancer and Alzheimer's can be achieved by following a traditional Mediterranean diet. That tapas plate just keeps looking better and better. The Mediterranean diet is now also used in many circles for weight management due to its healthy supply of the required or necesssary properties to ensure healthy weight loss when consumed in moderate amounts. Unlike the many weight loss diets in the market place, this traditional diet means the person dieting does not have to go without essential elements from the food pyramid, allowing dieting in a healthy manner.