Mediterranean Diet and Health

Abstract

In recent years, much emphasis has been placed on the relationship between the diet form known as the “Mediterranean diet” and various diseases. The Mediterranean diet is considered as one of the most effective diet forms in relation to a healthy diet and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Research has demonstrated that adherence to this diet form has contributed positively to protecting dental health and reducing mortality rates stemming from neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), Type 2 diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cancer (particularly colon and breast cancers), mental function diseases, lower incidence of atherosclerosis, and chronic degenerative diseases. It has further been determined that this diet form, positively affects the improvement of general health status, with its positive effects on living a healthy life and quality aging. Tackling the basic characteristics of the Mediterranean diet, this chapter renders the things to do for disease prevention and the findings of studies examining the relationship between this diet form and different diseases.