It all started long ago, in the 1950s, when an American nutritionist, Ansel Keys reported that Cretan men had a very low rate of heart disease and cancer and lived long. Dr. Keys conducted a 15-year study of the heart disease and cancer in Greece, Finland, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, US, and Yugoslavia. The results of the study showed that in Crete, these diseases were rare while in all other countries were not (Japan was the only exception).
Why the diet described for a small island of Crete is now generalized for a huge area that include three continents and t least 16 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea? Of course, diets vary between these countries due to differences in culture and economy. However, the common pattern can be extracted.
In significant amounts, daily, are eaten: Olive oil, fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
In moderate amounts, almost daily, are consumed cheeses, fish and seafood
Meats and eggs are consumed from zero to a couple times a week
Wine is consumed in moderate amounts but regularly, on daily basis, with meals.
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