By The Registered Dietitians at 2 Your Health When you think ‘Mediterranean’ do images of majestic oceans, tranquil breezes, sumptuous flavorful foods, and opulent sunsets come to mind? What about the rich, deep, woody flavors of authentic olive oil and the pure decadence of wine, aged cheeses, and fresh fruits and vegetables off the vine and from the rich soil of the Mediterranean land? The Mediterranean Diet’s aromatic appeal has not only been likened to delicious satisfaction, it is being touted as a beneficial and healthy lifestyle for its abundance of nutrients and preventative qualities across lands far from the Mediterranean Sea. The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is associated with and originated in the olive-growing areas of the Mediterranean, mostly in Greece, Spain, Italy, and France.1  Many studies have shown that the Mediterranean people have a longer life expectancy and a lower risk of suffering certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and some metabolic disorders.2,3,4, 5 A meta-analysis reviewing the Mediterranean diet revealed the association of improvement in health status, as seen by reduced mortality rates (9%), decrease in mortality from cardiovascular diseases (9%), incidence of or mortality from cancer (6%), and incidence of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases(13%).6 Here we breakdown the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and why it’s not so different than what registered dietitians have been promoting for a long time. You’ll see there’s a lot to love and you don’t even have to cross the ocean to embrace it. Mediterranean Diet Ingredients Olive Oil Olive oil is an amazing, versatile liquid source of monounsaturated fatty acids and may have some great health advantages in the diet. It may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, prevent several types of cancer, and alter immune and inflammatory responses. Nuts and Seeds The vitamins, minerals, and compounds like flavonoids, isoflavonoids, phytosterols, and phytic acid all have many essential health benefits that are protective against cardiovascular disease, may promote cognitive health and reduce plasma lipid levels. Vegetables and Fruits Rich in vitamins, minerals, phenols, and flavonoids, fruits and vegetables are also rich in fiber, antioxidants, and have been associated with lower incidence of cancer, coronary heart disease, and neural tube defects among other benefits. Fish The fatty acids (polyunsaturated) found in fish help regulate homeostatic factors in the body, protect against cardiac arrhythmias, cancer, and hypertension. Fish...