A diet wherein the emphasis is laid on plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables as well as healthy fats like omega-3 and olive oil, is known as a Mediterranean diet. Seafood like fish a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and is also included aplenty in the Mediterranean diet. A Mediterranean diet also lays stress on avoiding the intake of foods like red meat, dairy products, packaged foods, and foods with high levels of salt or sugar.

The popular health benefits of a Mediterranean diet include improved mood, reduced stress levels, improved overall health, and increased longevity. Another major highlight of a Mediterranean diet is that one can enjoy drinking wine in this, but that should be in moderation. Some other health benefits are mentioned herein.

Keeps your heart healthy
A Mediterranean diet promotes the consumption of foods like olive oil, nuts, and omega-3 fatty acids on a daily basis. Hence, a healthy heart is one of the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet as these foods boost good cholesterol levels and help in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. These foods also help in keeping the blood pressure levels under control.

Aids in weight loss
One of the other health benefits of a Mediterranean diet is weight loss. This is because this diet plan includes foods of high nutritious value and cuts out those that are high in carbohydrates and fats. This helps in keeping the weight down. Also, the exclusion of processed foods, foods with preservatives, and foods with high sugar content will help in losing weight.

Improves longevity
Eating healthy foods and foods rich in monosaturated fats like fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, legumes, walnuts, avocados promotes good health and helps in keeping diseases at bay and increases life expectancy. And this is what a Mediterranean diet ensures.

Prevents diabetes
Health benefits of a Mediterranean diet also include lowering of blood sugar levels. As the Mediterranean diet includes foods rich in fiber, monosaturated fats and low amounts of carbs, it reduces the chances of developing type-2 diabetes.

Helps prevent cancer
The Mediterranean diet includes foods rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Such a diet helps in boosting the immunity levels of the human body and prevents diseases like cancer.

Reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease
Lowering the chances of developing Alzheimer’s is another one of the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet. The kind of foods included in this diet boosts memory power by preventing brain tissue loss and reduces the risk of developing dementia.

Prevents mood swings
A combination of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes helps in reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. These foods help in boosting the serotonin levels, also known as mood stabilizers. Fluctuations in the serotonin levels can make one feel stressed, anxious, happy, or sad. So, the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet include the prevention of mood fluctuations.