Why do people in the Mediterranean lose weight easily and live longer?

It is common knowledge that people who live around the Mediterranean region tend to live longer and have less overweight related diseases than people in the developed countries except perhaps, Japan.

Not very long ago, the Mediterranean climate was thought to be the reason why people live longer and are healthier in the region. Now it has become rather clear that while the weather of the Mediterranean area may be pleasant and refreshing, it is the diet of the people in the Mediterranean that account for their longer lives.

The Mediterranean diet is not a designed easy weight loss diet plan like the Atkins Diet, South Beach Diet or The Zone Diet. It is the healthy dietary habits and food source of the Mediterranean people which they are eating everyday.

Many food sources that are part of a Mediterranean diet are high in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are important compounds found in certain types of food that mopped up dangerous free radicals. Free radicals are produced when the body burns oxygen to produce energy.

The accumulation of these free radicals in the body accelerates the ageing process. Cellular tissues such as skin and muscles wear out and lose their elasticity. Human organs function with less efficiency. Studies have also shown that free radicals clog up arteries which may result in a stroke, high blood pressure and even heart attack. Free radicals are also blamed for other dangerous medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

The types of fruits and vegetables that form the Mediterranean diet

include richly colored leafy green vegetables which are high in anti-oxidants which are excellent free radical destroyers. Scientists have also found that the Mediterranean diet reduces the risks of certain types of cancers.

The Mediterranean diet includes very little animal fat or saturated fat. Since there is a direct link between the consumption of saturated fat and colorectal cancers, heart diseases and strokes, the risks of getting these diseases are reduced. The main fat source in the food of the Mediterranean people is the olive oil. Not only that the olive oil is a healthy fat source, it had been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

It is concluded on a firm basis that the Mediterranean diet has played a very important role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease amongst the people of the countries around the Mediterranean region.

There is strong evidence to suggest that eliminating certain items from a diet, like processed salts can lower the risk of hypertension and high blood pressure. There are also evidence that a diet which is rich in fiber and low in animal can help to reduce the risk of hypertension and high blood pressure.

A person who eats like the Mediterranean people will get tremendous health benefits. Not only will the person live longer, because of the moderate carbohydrate, low fat high fiber Mediterranean diet, weight loss and weight control comes naturally with this healthy diet.

If you want to go on a healthy weight loss diet, then the Mediterranean diet will be indeed a good option.

Article Source: http://www.BestToRead.com/

We have all heard the old adage that a healthy mind is a healthy body so just how do you go about striking the perfect balance? Keeping your mind healthy is a relatively straightforward task that won’t change the way you normally live your life. Stimulating the brain helps to keep the mind healthy and happy. Crosswords and puzzles are a great form of mental exercise. Word games like Scrabble make your mind engage in problem solving and are a great way to keep your thinking sharp. Access all corners of your brain by using day to day gadgets, like calculators, less. Mathematics may not be your thing but most of us can do simple arithmetic and using parts of your brain that are generally underused is a ideal means of utilising all the knowledge stored up there. Challenge your brain by learning and experiencing new things outside of your usual routine. Ever dreamed of learning how to sail or pondered over the possibility of taking up pottery? Having a hobby is a good way to release your creative capabilities and stretching your brain beyond its usual daily remit is effective at keeping both mind and body happy. A simple thing you can do absolutely anywhere and which really gives your brain a workout is switching hands. Try using your less dominant hand for simple tasks like eating or writing, which can push your brainpower a little bit extra. Healthy eating is essential for overall wellbeing and doesn’t need to be difficult. Adding fresh fruit and vegetables to your daily diet is a simple way of staying healthy. Some types of fruits and vegetables are especially potent and give you double the dose of goodness; generally speaking the brighter the colour the greater the amount of antioxidant properties so stock up on colourful treats that pack a powerful punch. Aim for five portions of fruit and vegetables every day and your mind and body will thank you for it. Eating whole grains is another easy way to aid good health. Wholemeal bread and brown pasta help to up your intake of good grains and work wonders for wellbeing. It is often advised that all this healthy eating should be complemented with a spot of exercise to complete the equation. Improve fitness and overall health immeasurably by embarking on a frequent exercise regime. You need to raise your heart rate to a good working level four times a week for 30 minutes to make changes and it doesn’t matter what time of day you exercise, so long as you do it. Adopting a healthy lifestyle not only leads to a healthier body and mind, it can also lead to a healthier wallet too. When shopping for life insurance, for example, you may find that some health insurance companies enquire about your health and fitness levels, rewarding customers perceived to be healthier with lower premiums. What’s more, you don’t have to interrupt your daily health regime to find cover either as you can investigate, research and arrange life insurance online, leaving you with even more time to cook a healthy meal or go for a cycle! Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.