7 Wonders of Wellness: Unlock the Mediterranean Diet’s Life-Changing Benefits

7 Wonders of Wellness: Unlock the Mediterranean Diet’s Life-Changing Benefits

The Mediterranean diet is a dietary pattern inspired by the traditional eating habits of the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece, Italy, Spain, and parts of France, North Africa, and the Middle East. It emphasizes the consumption of fresh, whole, and minimally processed foods, with a focus on plant-based ingredients, healthy fats, lean proteins, and a variety of herbs and spices.

Chocolate, tea and berries may protect from diabetes

Ingredients in chocolate, tea and berries could guard against diabetes – Eating high levels of flavonoids including anthocyanins and other compounds (found in berries, tea, and chocolate) could offer protection from type 2 diabetes. Findings reveal that high intakes of these dietary compounds are associated with lower insulin resistance and better blood glucose regulation.

Nut consumption lowers risk of diseases

Large study links nut consumption to reduced death rate — Research also shows people who eat nuts weigh less – In the largest study of its kind, people who ate a daily handful of nuts were 20 percent less likely to die from any cause over a 30-year period than were those who didn’t consume nuts, say scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Weight loss may prevent and treat osteoarthritis in obese

Weight loss may prevent, treat osteoarthritis in obese patients — Obesity may trigger biomechanical changes, pathways that contribute to osteoarthritis – Weight loss may prevent and significantly alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis, a progressive disease of the joints known as “wear and tear” arthritis. Obesity actually may trigger the biomechanical and inflammatory changes that cause osteoarthritis, and the pain and loss of mobility associated with the condition.

Obesity may lead to impaired brain function

Obesity and metabolic syndrome associated with impaired brain function in adolescents – Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with cognitive and brain impairments in adolescents and calls for pediatricians to take this into account when considering the early treatment of childhood obesity. As childhood obesity has increased in the U.S., so has the prevalence of metabolic syndrome ? a constellation of three or more of five defined health problems, including abdominal obesity, low HDL (good cholesterol), high triglycerides, high blood pressure and pre-diabetic insulin resistance.

Secondhand smoke linked to Type 2 diabetes and obesity

Secondhand smoke is linked to Type 2 diabetes and obesity – Adults who are exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes than do nonsmokers without environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, a new study shows.