scholarly journals Med-index: a food product labeling system to promote adherence to the mediterranean diet encouraging producers to make healthier and more sustainable food products

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 67-83
Author(s):  
Maria Lisa Clodoveo ◽  
Elvira Tarsitano ◽  
Carlo Sabbà ◽  
Loreto Gesualdo ◽  
Filomena Corbo
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Lower Incidence ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Sustainable Food ◽  
Uniform Labeling ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Objective Basis ◽  
Labeling System

Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency in food labeling as they want more and better information about what they are eating and where their food comes from. Several food indexes have been developed in the last decades to promote healthy eating with the aim of reducing certain diseases such as obesity, cancer, and diabetes. The Mediterranean diet is known to be one of the healthiest dietary patterns, and it is associated with a lower incidence of mortality from all-causes, and it is also related to a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases; however, a comprehensive index that quantifies the Mediteraneaness of foods is still missing. The real European challenge is to identify a uniform labeling system for the whole of Europe which promotes a healthy lifestyle. This article describes the development of the Mediterranean Index (MI), which aims to accurately measure the degree of food Mediterraneaness. The MI simultaneously integrates nutritional and sustainability characteristics of foods. The MI may provide an objective basis for the use of the “Mediterraneaness” label on food products, which can ultimately promote adherence to the Mediterranean diet encouraging producers to make healthier and more sustainable food products. Growing consumer concern toward health foods for better health can be a factor useful to promote the applicability of the precision nutrition principles by means of conscious choice.

scholarly journals The Beneficial Health Effects of Vegetables and Wild Edible Greens: The Case of the Mediterranean Diet and Its Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 9144
Author(s):  
Elena Chatzopoulou ◽  
Márcio Carocho ◽  
Francesco Di Gioia ◽  
Spyridon A. Petropoulos
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Interest ◽  
Mediterranean Populations ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Healthy Diets ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean

The Mediterranean diet (MD) concept as currently known describes the dietary patterns that were followed in specific regions of the area in the 1950s and 1960s. The broad recognition of its positive effects on the longevity of Mediterranean populations also led to the adoption of this diet in other regions of the world, and scientific interest focused on revealing its health effects. MD is not only linked with eating specific nutritional food products but also with social, religious, environmental, and cultural aspects, thus representing a healthy lifestyle in general. However, modern lifestyles adhere to less healthy diets, alienating people from their heritage. Therefore, considering the increasing evidence of the beneficial health effects of adherence to the MD and the ongoing transitions in consumers’ behavior, the present review focuses on updating the scientific knowledge regarding this diet and its relevance to agrobiodiversity. In addition, it also considers a sustainable approach for new marketing opportunities and consumer trends of the MD.

The Portuguese MEDITERRANEAN DIET Wheel: development considerations

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
S.S.P. Rodrigues ◽  
B. Franchini ◽  
I. Pinho ◽  
P. Graça
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Food Choices ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
Food Pattern ◽  
Health Directorate ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Diet And Lifestyle

Abstract Scientific evidence has been reporting the health and environmental benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. However, countries of the Mediterranean region, Portugal included, are gradually abandoning this traditional food pattern. The aim of the present work was to develop the Portuguese Mediterranean Diet Wheel. Three main steps were followed: 1) Establishment of the most relevant Mediterranean diet and lifestyle principles to improve this pattern among the Portuguese population; 2) Converting those principles into a captivating and easy to understand tool; 3) Obtaining experts’ opinion. By a matter of consistency, the preservation and transmission of the Mediterranean heritage was represented through an upgrade of the current Portuguese food wheel guide. This complementary tool highlights the Mediterranean Diet enlarged character that encompasses a healthy lifestyle and reinforces sociocultural and environmental features. It was launched at the end of 2016 and was nationally disseminated with the support of the Portuguese Health Directorate. Initially it was presented in a poster format image that was subsequently spread in different communication formats. This newly developed Mediterranean Food Guide is a complementary educational tool that will support health and education professionals in the never ending mission of promoting healthy food choices.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Diet Effects on Type 2 Diabetes Prevention, Disease Progression, and Related Mechanisms. A Review

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Martín-Peláez ◽  
Montse Fito ◽  
Olga Castaner
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Diabetes Type 2 ◽  
Antioxidant Compounds ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Quality Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Traditional Mediterranean Diet

The search for a quality diet has grown over the past decade. Diet is considered one of the pillars for the prevention and progression of several diseases, among them: diabetes. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is an epidemic of western countries that increases the vulnerability of other diseases, such as cardiovascular and cancer. T2D is associated with lifestyle and diet. The traditional Mediterranean diet has proven its benefits over several cardiovascular risk factors, and specifically on diabetes. This review compiles recent published evidence on the effects of the Mediterranean diet on the incidence and progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its relation with several other cardiovascular healthy diets. We will also focus on how the Mediterranean diet could play a role in T2D-related mechanisms, such as anti-inflammatory or antioxidant compounds, glucagon-like peptide agonist compounds, and changes in gut microbiota. Each component of the Mediterranean diet could be involved in processes related to diabetes homeostasis, many of them sharing common physio-pathological pathways. The importance of this diet within the set of habits of a healthy lifestyle must be emphasized.

scholarly journals Risky Behaviours of Spanish University Students: Association with Mediterranean Diet, Sexual Attitude and Chronotype

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4042
Author(s):  
Pedro Manuel Rodríguez-Muñoz ◽  
Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres ◽  
Cristina Rivera-Picón ◽  
Ignacio Morales-Cané ◽  
Fabio Fabbian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
University Students ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Heavy Drinking ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Risky Alcohol ◽  
Risky Alcohol Consumption ◽  
The Mediterranean

The most common drugs that are consumed by young people are alcohol and tobacco, which are especially prevalent in universities. These risk behaviours can be determined by a series of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco by Spanish university students and the relationship between the Mediterranean diet, sexual attitudes and opinions, and chronotype. A multicentre observational study enrolled 457 students from two public universities in Spain. The study period was from December 2017 to January 2018. The majority of the participants consumed alcohol (90.2%), tobacco consumption was low (27.2%), with a high percentage of students (78.6%) having a low dependence on nicotine. The surveyed students demonstrated a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which was shown to be associated with less risky alcohol consumption. The Mediterranean diet is a part of healthy lifestyle, and avoiding heavy drinking results in the intention to maintain such a lifestyle. In addition, unhealthy eating habits (skipping breakfast, eating sweets and pastries daily, and fast-food consumption) had a tendency to induce risky alcohol consumption. Therefore, to promote healthy lifestyle habits, it is considered important to establish programs that promote healthy diets in university settings and to evaluate them periodically.

Natural Products Derived from the Mediterranean Diet with Antidiabetic Activity: from Insulin Mimetic Hypoglycemic to Nutriepigenetic Modulator Compounds

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 1760-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia-Eirini Deligiannidou ◽  
Elena Philippou ◽  
Melita Vidakovic ◽  
Wim V. Berghe ◽  
Alexandros Heraclides ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Antidiabetic Activity ◽  
Eating Pattern ◽  
Insulin Mimetic ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Sugar Levels

Background: The Mediterranean diet is a healthy eating pattern that protects against the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to pancreatic beta-cell functional impairment and insulin resistance in various tissues. Inspired by the ancient communities, this diet emphasizes eating primarily plant-based foods, including vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals, and nuts. Importantly, virgin olive oil is used as the principal source of fat. Red meat is consumed in low amounts while wine and fish are consumed moderately. Objective: Here, we review the most beneficial components of the Mediterranean Diet and tentative mechanisms of action for prevention and/or management of T2DM, based on research conducted within the last decade. Methods: The references over the last five years have been reviewed and they have been selected properly according to inclusion/ exclusion criteria. Results: Several bioactive diet components were evaluated to prevent inflammation and cytokine-induced oxidative damage, reduce glucose concentration, carbohydrate absorption and increase insulin sensitivity and related gene expression. Conclusion: The adherence to a healthy lifestyle, including diet, exercise and habits remains the best approach for the prevention of diabetes as well as frequent check-ups and education. Though diabetes has a strong genetic component, in recent years many reports strongly point to the critical role of lifestyle specific epigenetic modifications in the development of T2DM. It remains to be established how different components of the Mediterranean Diet interact and influence the epigenetic landscape to prevent or treat the disease.

Freeze-dried fast food products based on homogenized fish and plant systems

Fisheries ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-103
Author(s):  
Nikita zarubin ◽  
Natalya Strokova ◽  
Ol'ga Bredihina ◽  
Irina Krasnova ◽  
Elizaveta Lavruhina
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Functional Food ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Calorie Content ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Wide Range

The article presents research data that substantiate the relevance of the development of a ready-to-eat food product in the form of freeze-dried snacks and soups based on a homogenized fish-growing system. The developed recipe compositions and the technology of freeze-dried snacks and soups make it possible to produce high-protein, full-fledged amino acid products that also contain mono - and polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3,6,9), minerals (K, Na, P, Co, Cr, Se, I), nutritional fiber - fiber and inulin. High nutritional and biological values allow us to recommend the obtained freeze-dried products as functional food products for a wide range of consumers, including snacks for use in the diets of people who follow a "protein diet", as well as with increased physical activity; soups – for people with increased body weight, who monitor the calorie content of food, leading a healthy lifestyle.

scholarly journals Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (12A) ◽  
pp. 2274-2284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bach-Faig ◽  
Elliot M Berry ◽  
Denis Lairon ◽  
Joan Reguant ◽  
Antonia Trichopoulou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Dietary Pattern ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Graphic Representation ◽  
Mediterranean Populations ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
The Mediterranean

AbstractObjectiveTo present the Mediterranean diet (MD) pyramid: a lifestyle for today.DesignA new graphic representation has been conceived as a simplified main frame to be adapted to the different nutritional and socio-economic contexts of the Mediterranean region. This review gathers updated recommendations considering the lifestyle, dietary, sociocultural, environmental and health challenges that the current Mediterranean populations are facing.Setting and SubjectsMediterranean region and its populations.ResultsMany innovations have arisen since previous graphical representations of the MD. First, the concept of composition of the ‘main meals’ is introduced to reinforce the plant-based core of the dietary pattern. Second, frugality and moderation is emphasised because of the major public health challenge of obesity. Third, qualitative cultural and lifestyle elements are taken into account, such as conviviality, culinary activities, physical activity and adequate rest, along with proportion and frequency recommendations of food consumption. These innovations are made without omitting other items associated with the production, selection, processing and consumption of foods, such as seasonality, biodiversity, and traditional, local and eco-friendly products.ConclusionsAdopting a healthy lifestyle and preserving cultural elements should be considered in order to acquire all the benefits from the MD and preserve this cultural heritage. Considering the acknowledgment of the MD as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO (2010), and taking into account its contribution to health and general well-being, we hope to contribute to a much better adherence to this healthy dietary pattern and its way of life with this new graphic representation.

scholarly journals Healthy Alternatives of the Mediterranean Diet in Latvia

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 315-319
Author(s):  
Andrejs Ērglis ◽  
Iveta Mintāle ◽  
Anete Dinne
Keyword(s):  
Olive Oil ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Dairy Products ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽  
The Mediterranean

Abstract The milestone of illness prophylaxis is a healthy lifestyle, which is composed of regular physical activity and a healthy diet. Following the Mediterranean diet for two years has been shown to have significant decrease in cardiovascular death by 9%, cancer by 6%, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's by 13%. This diet helps to control the perfect weight, improves lipid profile and diminishes the risk of diabetes. The Mediterranean diet consists of extra virgin olive oil, vegetables and fruit, wholegrain products, legumes, nuts and seeds, dairy products (with no other sources of fat other than milk fat), fish (at least twice a week), poultry, veal, pork in limited amount, and eggs - 0-4 per week. It is possible to adapt this kind of alimentation in the Nordic countries, but it is important to find products grown there with similar nutritional characteristics. Nowadays, fresh fruits and vegetables can be bought all year round, but it is essential to use seasonal products. In Latvia, at this point, attention should be brought to more efficient storage and conservation. We have a vast variety of legumes and cereals. The selection of dairy products should be bigger and of higher quality, because you rarely see local cheeses made in an artisanal manner at the marketplaces. There is good availability of saltwater fish in the cities, but in the countryside the only fish one can buy is salted and smoked, having exaggeratedly high amounts of salt. Consumption of meat and its products should be lowered to a maximum of three times per week. A special attention should be brought to game (such as deer), because it contains low levels of cholesterol and higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids due to the alimentation of wild herbs. Unfortunately, there is a lack of good quality oil in Latvia, because no other product can be compared to the nutritious components of extra virgin olive oil and its effects on cardiovascular health. Consumption of high amounts of olive oil decreases the incidence of stroke by 41%. Education should be conducted widely to promote tradition and gastronomic heritage as a cultural aspect. Healthy lifestyle has to be visible to everyone at any time as a constant reminder of its importance.

scholarly journals Mediterranean Diet, Physical Fitness and Body Composition in Sevillian Adolescents: A Healthy Lifestyle

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pablo Galan-Lopez ◽  
Antonio J. Sánchez-Oliver ◽  
Francis Ries ◽  
José Antonio González-Jurado
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
The Body ◽  
Two Factors ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Mediterranean

Childhood and adolescent obesity has become one of the most vital challenges to overcome in the present age. Physical fitness, physical activity and the Mediterranean diet (MD) are valuable tools for its prevention and treatment. The main objective of this study is to analyze the associations between health-related physical fitness components, body composition and adherence to the MD in 917 adolescents aged from 13- to 16-years-old. The ALPHA-Fitness Test was used to measure physical fitness and body composition, and the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED) questionnaire was employed to assess the adherence to the MD. The associations between variables were tested according to gender and age a generalized linear model (GLM) univariate analysis (two factors) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA, with Bonferroni posthoc). As to the body composition and physical fitness variables, significant differences were obtained in both genders but not in relation to the adherence to the MD. The boys performed better in the physical fitness tests. Age was a determinant factor in adherence to the MD in the total sample, lowering as the age of the sample increases. Both the boys and girls who had a significantly higher performance in the endurance test were those who showed high/medium adherence to the MD. It is concluded that higher levels of cardiovascular endurance in boys and girls are associated with a medium and high adherence to the MD.

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