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For decades, eating Mediterranean food has been linked to living a longer, healthier life. In fact, there is a wealth of research to suggest that Mediterranean eating may have many potential health benefits.
 

Mediterranean Diet Research

Interest in the Mediterranean diet began in the 1940s when a study by Ancel Keys revealed that residents of seven countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea were healthier and lived longer than people living in Western countries, despite a lack of access to modern health care in the region.

Again in the 1990s, the book Eat, Drink and Be Healthy, published by Dr. Walter Willet of Harvard University’s School of Public Health, linked the Mediterranean diet to longer life spans and a lowered risk of developing chronic diseases.

In 2008, a study published in the British Medical Journal associated eating Mediterranean foods with lower rates of heart disease, cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Even more recently, scientists discovered a potential link between the Mediterranean diet and a lowered risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Now, that’s a lot of research on the subject!
 

What is the “Mediterranean Diet”?

So, just what is the Mediterranean diet? It is not a “diet” per se, but rather a way of life for people living in the region surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. For centuries, residents of countries in this area of the world have eaten a diet high in plant-based foods and healthy fats (think: olive oil) and low in animal-based foods, salt and unhealthy fats (think: butter or margarine with trans fats).

Mediterranean eating consists of all the same foods you probably already eat, just in different proportions. The majority of the diet is made up of:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Legumes
• Olive oil
• Foods such as eggs, dairy, poultry and fish are consumed on a semi-regular basis, but in smaller portion sizes that the typical Western diet
• Red wine is consumed in moderation (1-2 glasses per day)
• Foods like red meats, refined sugar and butter are eaten very rarely, if at all.

Research shows that this diet, combined with regular physical activity, may help you live longer – and feel better.
 

Pita Jungle:  Mediterranean Eating at Its Best!

Pita Jungle offers a wide selection of nutritious and delicious Mediterranean foods to help you eat healthier and that may help you feel more energized. We offer a variety of Mediterranean foods made with lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, which are naturally, low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Choose from fresh vegetarian, vegan and meat-based dishes that are loaded with the essential nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Let Pita Jungle help you embark on the path to a healthier lifestyle today. Visit one of our Mediterranean restaurants in Arizona to discover the Art of Eating Healthy®.