Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Human Nutrition from the Gastroenterologist’s Perspective pp 13–25Cite as

How a Gastroenterologist Interprets the Mediterranean Diet

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 853 Accesses

Abstract

Healthy diet, weight control, and physical activity are the main strategies of the primary prevention against chronic illnesses.

The Mediterranean dietary pattern, considered the world’s healthiest way of eating and living, should be rediscovered and proposed daily on our tables.

The traditional Mediterranean diet – that is, the diet consumed by the people living in the Mediterranean area in the 1950s–1960s after World War II – is not only a way of eating but a body of knowledge, social customs, and cultural traditions historically handed down by populations bordering the Mare Nostrum.

The Mediterranean lifestyle includes high intake of whole cereals, legumes, extra virgin olive oil, fruits and vegetables, moderate to high consumption of fish, moderate consumption of dairy products (mostly as cheese and yogurt), moderate wine consumption, and low consumption of red and processed meats.

The adequate qualitative and quantitative combination of these traditional foods allows to prevent nutritional inadequacies, by excess or by defect, and to provide protection against degenerative and chronic diseases, thanks to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Nestle M (1995) Mediterranean diets: historical and research overview. Am J Clin Nutr 61(6):1313S–1320S

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Davis C, Bryan J, Hodgson J, Murphy K (2015) Definition of the Mediterranean diet; a literature review. Nutrients 7(11):9139–9153

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Rodríguez JM, Leiva Balich L, Concha MJ, Mizón C, Bunout Barnett D, Barrera Acevedo G, Hirsch Birn S, Jiménez Jaime T, Henríquez S, Uribarri J, de la Maza Cave MP (2015) Reduction of serum advanced glycation end-products with a low calorie Mediterranean diet. Nutr Hosp 31(6):2511–2517

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, Cai W, Chen X, Pyzik R, Yong A, Striker GE, Vlassara H (2010) Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet. J Am Diet Assoc 110(6):911–916, e12

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  5. Keys A, Blackburn H, Menotti A et al (1970) Coronary heart disease in seven countries. Circulation 41(suppl 1):1–211

    Google Scholar 

  6. Ancel and Margaret Keys (1959) Eat well and stay well. Publisher: Doubleday

    Google Scholar 

  7. US Department of Agriculture (1992) Food guide pyramid (1992). Human Nutrition Information Service (Publication HG252), Hyattsville

    Google Scholar 

  8. Willett WC, Stampfer MJ (2003) Rebuilding the food pyramid. Sci Am 288(1):64–71

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Oh K, Hu FB, Manson JE, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC (2005) Dietary fat intake and risk of coronary heart disease in women: 20 years of follow-up of the nurses’ health study. Am J Epidemiol 161(7):672–679

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC (2006) Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med 354(15):1601–1613

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Slavin J (2003) Why whole grains are protective: biological mechanisms. Proc Nutr Soc 62(1):129–134

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Bach-Faig A, Berry EM, Lairon D, Reguant J, Trichopoulou A, Dernini S, Medina FX, Battino M, Belahsen R, Miranda G, Serra-Majem L, Mediterranean Diet Foundation Expert Group (2011) Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public Health Nutr 14(12A):2274–2284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Covas MI, de la Torre R, Fitó M (2015) Virgin olive oil: a key food for cardiovascular risk protection. Br J Nutr 113(Suppl 2):S19–S28

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Mellen PB, Walsh TF, Herrington DM (2008) Whole grain intake and cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 18(4):283–290

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Pol K, Christensen R, Bartels EM, Raben A, Tetens I, Kristensen M (2013) Whole grain and body weight changes in apparently healthy adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Am J Clin Nutr 98(4):872–884

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Aune D, Chan DS, Lau R, Vieira R, Greenwood DC, Kampman E, Norat T (2011) Dietary fibre, whole grains, and risk of colorectal cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. BMJ 343:d6617

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Arranz S, Chiva-Blanch G, Valderas-Martínez P, Medina-Remón A, Lamuela-Raventós RM, Estruch R (2012) Wine, beer, alcohol and polyphenols on cardiovascular disease and cancer. Nutrients 4(7):759–781

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Bach A, Serra-Majem L, Carrasco JL, Roman B, Ngo J, Bertomeu I, Obrador B (2006) The use of indexes evaluating the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in epidemiological studies: a review. Public Health Nutr 9(1A):132–146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Alberti-Fidanza A, Fidanza F (2004) Mediterranean adequacy index of Italian diets. Public Health Nutr 7(7):937–941

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlquivist M, Gnardellis D, Lagiou P, Polychronopoulos E et al (1995) Diet and overall survival in elderly people. Br Med J 311:1457–1460

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Stefanadis C (2006) Dietary patterns: a Mediterranean diet score and its relation to clinical and biological markers of cardiovascular disease risk. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 16(8):559–568

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Sofi F, Cesari F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A (2008) Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ 337:a1344

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. World Health Organization (2003) Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Report of a joint WHO/FAO expert consultation, World Health Organisation technical report series 916. World Health Organization, Geneva

    Google Scholar 

  24. Vareiro D, Bach-Faig A, Raidó Quintana B, Bertomeu I, Buckland G, Vaz de Almeida MD et al (2009) Availability of Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean foods during the last four decades: comparison of several geographical areas. Public Health Nutr 12(9A):1667–1675

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D (2003) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med 348(26):2599–2608

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Garcia-Closas R, Berenguer A, Gonzalez C (2006) Changes in food supply in Mediterranean countries from 1961 to 2001. Public Health Nutr 9(1):53–60

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Da Silva R, Bach-Faig A, Raido Quintana B, Buckland G, Vaz de Almeida MD, Serra-Majem L (2009) World variation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003. Public Health Nutr 12(9A):1676–1684

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. León-Muñoz LM, Guallar-Castillón P, Graciani A, López-García E, Mesas AE, Aguilera MT et al (2012) Adherence to the Mediterranean diet pattern has declined in Spanish adults. J Nutr 142(10):1843–1850

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Roccaldo R, Censi L, D’Addezio L, Toti E, Martone D, D’Addesa D et al (2014) Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Italian school children (The ZOOM8 Study). Int J Food Sci Nutr 65(5):621–628

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Strazzullo P, Ferro-Luzzi A, Siani A, Scaccini C, Sette S, Catasta G, Mancini M (1986) Changing the Mediterranean diet: effects on blood pressure. J Hypertens 4(4):407–412

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Ferro-Luzzi A, Strazzullo P, Scaccini C, Siani A, Sette S, Mariani MA, Mastranzo P, Dougherty RM, Iacono JM, Mancini M (1984) Changing the Mediterranean diet: effects on blood lipids. Am J Clin Nutr 40(5):1027–1037

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ng M, Fleming T, Robinson M, Thomson B, Graetz N, Margono C, Mullany EC, Biryukov S, Abbafati C, Abera SF et al (2014) Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet 384(9945):766–781

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  33. Dobbs R, Sawers C, Thompson F, Manyika J, Woetzel J, Child P, McKenna S, Spatharou A (2014) Overcoming obesity: an initial economic analysis. McKinsey Global Institute. Available at www.mckinsey.com/mgi

  34. Lobstein T, Baur L, Uauy R, IASO International Obesity TaskForce (2004) Obesity in children and young people: a crisis in public health. Obes Rev 5(S1):S4–S104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Leon BM, Maddox TM (2015) Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: epidemiology, biological mechanisms, treatment recommendations and future research. World J Diabetes 6(13):1246–1258

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (2007) Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. AICR, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kar SS, Dube R, Kar SS (2014) Childhood obesity-an insight into preventive strategies. Avicenna J Med 4(4):88–93

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  38. Assmann G, Buono P, Daniele A, Della Valle E, Farinaro E, Ferns G, Krogh V, Kromhout D, Masana L, Merino J, Misciagna G, Panico S, Riccardi G, Rivellese AA, Rozza F, Salvatore F, Salvatore V, Stranges S, Trevisan M, Trimarco B, Vetrani C (2014) Functional foods and cardiometabolic diseases*. International Task Force for Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 24(12):1272–1300

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Scientific Institute for Digestive Disease “Saverio de Bellis” Hospital, Via Turi 27, Castellana Grotte, Bari, 70013, Italy

    Gioacchino Leandro, A. Giliberti, A. M. Cisternino, R. Inguaggiato, R. Reddavide & M. G. Caruso

  2. Department of Liver and Digestive Health, University College of London, London, UK

    Gioacchino Leandro

  3. AIGO, Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists, Milan, Italy

    Gioacchino Leandro

Authors
  1. Gioacchino Leandro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Giliberti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. M. Cisternino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Inguaggiato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Reddavide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. G. Caruso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gioacchino Leandro .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Villa Santa Maria, Research & Development, Milan, Italy

    Enzo Grossi

  2. ASST Bergamo Est, Gastroenterology, Seriate (BG), Italy

    Fabio Pace

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Leandro, G., Giliberti, A., Cisternino, A.M., Inguaggiato, R., Reddavide, R., Caruso, M.G. (2016). How a Gastroenterologist Interprets the Mediterranean Diet. In: Grossi, E., Pace, F. (eds) Human Nutrition from the Gastroenterologist’s Perspective. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30361-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30361-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-30359-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-30361-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation