Greece in diet is a healthy mix

[Heracles 417]

Greece in diet is a healthy mix

Callie Watson • Herald Sun • June 02, 2010

Research has revealed the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet.

Picture: Mark Evans Source: Herald Sun

THEIR economy may be in crisis, but a diet modelled on food eaten in Greece 60 years ago has the thumbs up.

University of Canberra researchers found that Australians who embrace the Mediterranean diet - particularly those with type 2 diabetes - can gain significant health benefits.

Associate Prof Catherine Itsiopoulos asked study participants to stick to the diet, which includes two serves of fish a week, one to two glasses of wine a day, generous lashings of olive oil, vegetables with every meal and limited meat, for three months.

The results showed the food choices effectively lessened two of the main symptoms of type 2 diabetes - elevated glucose levels and reduced levels of antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease and some cancers.

Other health benefits reported by participants included feeling more energetic and weight loss.

"This is effectively the diet of a post-war peasant from Crete," Prof Itsiopoulos said.

"Diabetes chews up the body's antioxidants, this diet replaces them."

Research into the Mediterranean diet has shown it could cut your risk of depression by 30 per cent, help people live longer and reduce rates of heart disease and cancer.

Research has also suggested it may help pregnant women lower the risks of asthma and allergies in their children.

The diet is traditionally favoured in countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy and is high in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

It is also low in red meat and dairy products while alcohol, particularly red wine, is encouraged - but in moderation.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/greece-in-diet-is-a-healthy-mix/story-e6frf7l6-1225874220188

[SMR 368]

Greece in diet is a healthy mix

Callie Watson • Herald Sun • June 02, 2010

Research has revealed the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet.

Picture: Mark Evans Source: Herald Sun

THEIR economy may be in crisis, but a diet modelled on food eaten in Greece 60 years ago has the thumbs up.

University of Canberra researchers found that Australians who embrace the Mediterranean diet - particularly those with type 2 diabetes - can gain significant health benefits.

Associate Prof Catherine Itsiopoulos asked study participants to stick to the diet, which includes two serves of fish a week, one to two glasses of wine a day, generous lashings of olive oil, vegetables with every meal and limited meat, for three months.

The results showed the food choices effectively lessened two of the main symptoms of type 2 diabetes - elevated glucose levels and reduced levels of antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease and some cancers.

Other health benefits reported by participants included feeling more energetic and weight loss.

"This is effectively the diet of a post-war peasant from Crete," Prof Itsiopoulos said.

"Diabetes chews up the body's antioxidants, this diet replaces them."

Research into the Mediterranean diet has shown it could cut your risk of depression by 30 per cent, help people live longer and reduce rates of heart disease and cancer.

Research has also suggested it may help pregnant women lower the risks of asthma and allergies in their children.

The diet is traditionally favoured in countries such as Greece, Spain and Italy and is high in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

It is also low in red meat and dairy products while alcohol, particularly red wine, is encouraged - but in moderation.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/greece-in-diet-is-a-healthy-mix/story-e6frf7l6-1225874220188

Pregnant women should be drinking 1-2 glasses of wine a day? It might reduce asthma and allergies, but I think you'll find other problems.

[Heracles 417]

Pregnant women should be drinking 1-2 glasses of wine a day? It might reduce asthma and allergies, but I think you'll find other problems.

Obviously for a pregnant woman, it doesn't include drinking.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Olive oil is really good for you, but is one of the most unstable oils (oxidation) to cook with in high heat so I wouldn't saute or fry anything in it.

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

Olive oil is really good for you,

[one...two...tree 2,762]

[spookyturtle 9,465]

Olive oil is really good for you, but is one of the most unstable oils (oxidation) to cook with in high heat so I wouldn't saute or fry anything in it.

I drink olive oil.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I drink olive oil.

with Scotch?

[IndigoSkies 168]

I drink oilve oil and bathe in it, too.