Should You Try the Mediterranean Diet? We Examine the Evidence

— Please Note: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness. If you have any health concern, see a licensed healthcare professional in person. The Mediterranean diet has long been touted as one of the best. In fact, U.S. News and World Report named it the best diet overall compared to 41 different diets. The Mediterranean diet was also named the best plant-based diet, best diet for healthy eating, best diet for diabetes, and easiest diet to follow. Some studies even suggest it can help you live longer ( 1 , 2 ). But is this diet really the best diet for you? Here, we take a closer look at the origins of the diet and the current scientific evidence to see if the Mediterranean diet is all it’s cracked up to be. What is the Mediterranean Diet? The Mediterranean diet is a largely plant-based diet that draws from food traditions from countries along the Mediterranean coast. Origins of the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet has been studied for decades, but it’s only became popular in non-Mediterranean countries since the 1990s. It was first introduced with the Seven Countries Study , an international epidemiological study that began in 1958 and is still active today. The study, led by Dr. Ancel Keys, linked traditional Mediterranean diets (and specifically diets that include large amounts of olive oil ) with reduced risk for coronary heart disease ( 3 , 4 ). Keys and his wife published their findings on traditional Mediterranean diets and heart health in 1975. Dr. Keys remained a Mediterranean diet advocate and an active researcher for much of his life. He died just before his 101st birthday. The Mediterranean diet as we know it today isn’t necessarily the same […]

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