The key to health and longevity

The traditional Mediterranean diet, following the eating habits of the inhabitants

of Crete and southern Italy in the early 1960s, has been recognized after long-term

scientific research as the healthiest diet. A low-calorie diet yet rich in flavor and

aroma, is known for its beneficial properties: it provides energy, protects against

heart attack and various forms of cancer, helps the good bowel function, etc.

This diet is increasingly gaining ground in recent years, as numerous studies have

shown that the Mediterranean region population live longer and suffer much less,

compared to Americans and northern Europeans, from bowel and breast cancer or

heart diseases. The menu is simple and based on a frugal diet: raw olive oil, fresh vegetable and fruit, legumes and pulses, unprocessed cheese, homemade whole wheat bread, nuts, fresh fish and a glass of homemade wine. These basic features of the Mediterranean diet (high intake of fruit, vegetables and unsaturated fat) undoubtedly protect the skin from the signs of aging, i.e. wrinkles. Combined with daily physical exercise, the Mediterranean diet menu is a key for longevity, health and beauty. * Renowned heart surgeon Christian Barnard in his book “Fifty Ways for a healthy heart” has dedicated an entire chapter to the Mediterranean diet, which he described as “healthy because it includes olive oil, wine, legume and vegetables.” * In 2010, the Mediterranean diet was added to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.