ABSTRACT
Plant foods and seafood—the traditional dietary pattern—supply all the essential nutrients as well as nonessential phytochemicals that provide healthful benefits. Mediterranean people who consume the diverse nutrients in the traditional diet of their country live longer lives and have reduced rates of the common chronic diseases. Energy intakes by Mediterranean populations are currently lower than in most Western populations, and they result in lower rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and other major chronic diseases. Mediterranean populations typically obtain sufficient amounts of both essential and nonessential amino acids from their omnivorous diets containing both animal and plant protein sources. The healthier Mediterranean diet helps to protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other diseases that may develop because of greater oxidative stress. Water, “the forgotten” nutrient, is consumed sufficiently by most Mediterranean peoples, but those who live in desert regions may have shortages of freshwater.
