, What is a healthy diet?
An eating pattern that helps maintain, improve and prevent disease.
– And, how can you check whether the diet, out of many, is healthy?
– With scientific evidence. very. Through the study of nutritional epidemiology.
– Yes… And, currently, is there such a well supported diet?
– Yes, one in particular.
– Which one!
– Mediterranean Sea. No one else has such scientific proof.
– Ok! I follow that. it is one of all life, Which we follow here.
This last sentence could be pronounced proudly and calmly, by 81% of the Spanish population. According to the Eurobarometer, at least 81% of Spaniards believe that they eat in a way Healthy hey very healthy, But, what happens when you take a test with questions that go straight to the point? They get 6.3. Be careful, not out of 10, but out of 14. The Most Important Test on the Mediterranean Diet (PREDIMED) defined it with 14 very simple points, which allow anyone to evaluate themselves. Our compatriots, who think they follow so well, massively fail the test of the Mediterranean diet.
There is reason enough to know the 14 points of the diet in which our liquid gold, olive oil, is the main stone of the arch. I list them, but only offer questions. Predimed.es website provides the correct answer.
First, the first question would be whether olive oil is used as the main cooking fat (1). There are many questions about the amount consumed per day: olive oil (2), vegetables (3), pieces of fruit (4), red meat, hamburgers, sausage or cured meats (5), butter, margarine or cream. (6) and carbonated and/or sugary drinks, such as soft drinks, colas, tonics (7). As could be imagined, these last 3 questions will score better with less consumption. Finally, some other questions about weekly amounts: wine (8), legumes (9), fish-shellfish (10), nuts (11), if there is a preferential consumption of chicken, turkey or rabbit meat instead of beef, pork, hamburger or sausage (12), how often vegetables, pasta, rice or other dishes are seasoned with sofrito (13) and how little is consumed by non-domestic commercial pastries such as cookies, custards, sweets or cakes ( 14 )
There are fourteen things. They seem simple. But they have been validated only after an intensive study with thousands of participants, where their biological, chemical, nutritional, lifestyle and disease incidence variables were collected, followed by a long follow-up period. All of this is then subjected to a demanding filter of complex statistical models, including machine learning,
The note received is not trivial. This will have a huge impact on the health of the present people and the health of the planet and its future inhabitants. Not only is it of interest to people like me who are doctors, nutrition researchers, and lovers of nature and healthy lifestyles, but it seems to mean a lot to the Vatican as well. Especially for the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, which on May 3 and 4 in Rome brought together experts from around the world to delve into the Mediterranean diet and its staple, which is olive oil.
Diet will have a huge impact on the health of present people and the health of the planet and its future inhabitants.
Scientists from the universities of Harvard, Yale, California, Davis, Bonn, Florence, Athens, Navarra, etc., spent those days presenting scientific results that we were following or had just finished. Walter Willett’s key figure, recent number one researcher revealed grade of top medical scientist in the world. Or his successor at Harvard Nutrition, Frank Hu. We were greeted by a smiling Cardinal Dean Giovanni Batista Rey. And the intervention of the President of the Academy, Joachim von Braun from the University of Bonn, was excellent. Of course, we have the presence of PREDIMED’s coordinator of the years, Ramón Estruch. Producers were also heard, including Teresa Perez, manager of Spanish Olive Oil Interprofessional. Intervention, from government agencies, Jaime Lillo, deputy director of the International Olive Council. And the visions of some famous people were also heard chef, Highlights Greg Drescher, director of the Culinary Institute of America, The vast properties of olive oil differ from different perspectives.
As recent advances have come to the fore, one should not talk about a healthy diet without referring to the traditional Mediterranean pattern. And one should not talk about traditional Mediterranean food without paying special attention to olive oil. It reaches the most demanding standards to improve human health and the health of future generations.
One of the conclusions of this brilliant symposium is that, with a solid and well-structured method in many dozens of vast observational and experimental studies, to reveal everyday matters such as eating, there is not much, but a vast amount of medical science. is required. Almost everything good takes time, effort, and a proactive and determined attitude. As such, it is known that the Mediterranean diet—largely thanks to olive oil—reduces the risk of heart attacks, diabetes, breast, colorectal and other types of cancer, and inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
It can also prevent depression, arrhythmias, cognitive decline and dementia; and have been able to achieve improvements in longevity… But, what is the use of scientists dedicating our lives to achieving this scientific proof, which will improve people’s lives, or that the Vatican and other large institutions are in these organize seminars, if then society’s perception is so far from reality and the majority don’t improve because they already believe they do everything well?
It is appropriate to compare the current diet in the 50s and 60s of the last century with Crete, which is the authentic Mediterranean diet. That’s what we try to collect in 14 points. It is a necessary test of conscience that will lead us to live longer… and better.
Miguel Angel Martinez-Gonzalez He is professor of preventive medicine and public health at the University of Navarra and Harvard University, principal investigator of the CIBEROBN group, and author of Certainly Health and What Do You Eat?
nutrition with science It is a section based on food based on scientific evidence and knowledge as opposed to experts. Eating out is much more than a pleasure and a necessity: Diet and eating habits are now public health factors that can help us prevent many diseases, from many types of cancer to diabetes. A team of dietitians-turned-nutritionists will help us better understand the importance of food and, thanks to science, help break the myths that lead us to eat poorly.
