In scientific studies the
people living in Mediterranean countries
have been found to have amazingly low rates
of heart disease, certain types of cancer,
and live longer. Their diets include a
higher intake of fat than Americans. These
studies have reinforced the idea of quality
rather than quantity.
The diet
typical throughout Italy features fruits,
nuts, vegetables, whole grains, beans,
lentils, and other legumes. There is a
balance of fish, poultry, and red meat in
the diet. Many meals feature
no meat at all.
While butter and cream aren't absent from
recipes, the primary source of fat is olive
oil.
The
New England Journal of
Medicine
published the results of a study involving
22,043 adults in Greece. The results were
that the closer one adheres to a
Mediterranean diet the longer the life span,
with lower mortality rates from heart
disease and cancer.
Olive oil can
be described as the golden elixir of life in
the Mediterranean diet. There is a
much higher consumption of olive oil and
olives in Mediterranean countries. Studies
have shown the monounsaturated fat in olive
oil is considered to be the healthiest type
of general fat. Monounsaturated fat is
believed to lower bad cholesterol and may
assist in reducing heart disease. Olive oil
provides essential fatty acids for healthy
skin and the development of body cells. It
is also believed to offer protection against
certain cancers, such as breast cancer and
colon cancer.
Olive
oil is a good source of
vitamin E, the anti-oxidant vitamin which is
usually in short supply in American diets.
