Health Secrets of the Mediterranean Diet

How to Use Mediterranean Ingredients for Health

By Dan Fields 

It’s not just the olive oil that makes this eating plan so good for you.

Scientists have known for decades that people who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet have lower rates of heart disease, and more-recent research has shown that such a diet can help protect against everything from cancer, diabetes, and obesity to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Olive oil may be the best-known Mediterranean ingredient, but the diet also emphasizes fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and fish. Here’s a look at 10 Mediterranean staples and their health-promoting powers, plus serving suggestions and recipes.

Click for the first healthy Mediterranean food.

Dan Fields is a freelance writer and editor in Framingham, Massachusetts. He is the former editor of Dr. Andrew Weil’s Self Healing newsletter.