Med diet – making up for our food excesses

Health promoting campaigns are failing to reduce obesity in adolescents. Obesity is now considered one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. 1 in 3 adolescents is estimated to be obese in Europe, being the highest rates found in Southern and Mediterranean countries (Cash, 2017; WHO, 2016) .

Furthermore, in Portugal, the results of the 2nd National Food and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF) presented in 2017, provided accurate data on the Nutritional Status of the Portuguese Population. Besides confirming similar data about obesity, also show other disturbing results: 1 in 2 Portuguese do not consume the amount of fruit and vegetables recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO); Approximately 1.5 million Portuguese (17% of the population) consume at least one refrigerant or nectars per day, of which 12% are refrigerants; The national prevalence of ‘regular’ physical activity and / or programmed leisure activity is 41.8%.

On the other hand food / diet patterns have been changing and the Mediterranean diet has been replaced or at least compromised by the so-called American diet or  by junk food.

 Actually the same survey states that most Portuguese do not follow either the advices of the Food Wheel or the Mediterranean Diet.(Picture 1)

At the same time, however, in the last decades, the Mediterranean diet has been recognized as a nutritional model to be followed either for being healthier than other diets or for being environmentally friendly.

The Mediterranean diet (Med Diet)

The Mediterranean diet , “a cuisine rich in colors, aromas and memories, which support the taste and the spirit of those who live in harmony with nature” (Altomare et al. , abstract, 2013), was , in 2010,  recognised by Unesco as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity for its unique set of skills, knowledge, traditions and nutritional model

The Med diet results from  millennial history of the peoples of the Mediterranean basin – Hebrews, Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Germanics,  Arabs, Byzantines, Ottomans, Spanish, Portuguese… – reflecting  their traditions, religious, cultural and technological differences.

As a nutritional model it promotes a pattern based on diversity, local and seasonal products. Globally, according to Walter Willett (the 90s),  it is a plant-based pattern, where vegetables, fruits, cereals (whole grain) legumes and nuts are regularly consumed. Followed by fish (blue fish , especially)and  few portions of white meat, eggs, diary products (low fat cheese and yogurts). Red meat and processed meals, saturated fat and sugars  should be avoided in a regular basis .Water is the basic beverage although, for adults, red wine (in moderation) , herbs (parsley, rosemary, coriander ….) as salt substitute.

In 2010, a new Mediterranean diet pyramid was developed at the Eighth International Congress on the Mediterranean diet, held in Spain (BachFaig et al., 2011; Dernini et al., 2012).

Picture 2: Mediterranean Diet Pyramid – Fundación Dieta Mediterránea, 2010

This new revised Mediterranean diet defends a sustainable diet in which nutrition, seasonal fresh and locally-grown products, culinary activities, biodiversity, traditional and eco-friendly products, of variety of colours for fruits and vegetables were introduced together with suggestions of weekly and daily servings (Bach-Faig et al, 2011;

This contrasts both with the American diet ( rich in red meat, dairy products, processed and artificially sweetened foods, and salt, with minimal intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, legumes, and whole grains)  and junk food  (highly caloric , salty and saturated fat )(Bloomfield et al., 2015).

Med Diet – a healthier nutritional model

Since the pioneer Seven Countries Study (Ancel Keys, 1950-1975), the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and its effects against chronic diseases have been established.

A large percentage of total fat in the Mediterranean diet is from monounsaturated fat, which is largely responsible for the reduction in heart disease because it does not raise cholesterol levels the way saturated and trans fats do.

Other benefits on the Mediterranean diet include the high concentration of cancer-fighting antioxidants because of the emphasis on fruit and vegetables, promotion of regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and lower sodium intake due to the reduction of processed foods.

high intakes of foods typical of the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern – i.e. fruit, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil and fish – were associated with a reduced risk of developing various types of cancers (Bosetti, Pelucchi & La Vecchia, 2009; Vernele et al., 2010).

That’s why Junk food is not so harmful when it is combined with a Mediterranean diet high in fruit, vegetables, fish and unrefined foods (Mortimer, 2016)

Environmentally friendly

Researchers from the University of Navarra, evaluated the impact on resource (land, water and energy and found that the MedDiet is an eco-friendly option, associated with less environmental footprints, including lower land, water and energy use and GHG emission. The higher the amount of animal-based foods in the diet, the higher the environmental impact in all analysed outcomes (Fresan et Bes-Rastrollo, 2018)

On the other hand, being grown locally, long-distance transportation is reduced. Moreover, “Mediterranean-Diet foods are adapted to the climatic and geographical conditions of the region in which they grow, reducing the need for extensive watering, fertilizing and pesticide use. For example, olive trees grow best in hot sun and dry soils” (Mortimor, 2016; Martínez-González et al., 2017).

Although not being a top secret weapon, literature seem to prove that Med Diet is nutritionally healthier and more environmentally-friendly, making up for our excesses.