Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Updating the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: From the Heart to the Earth

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Mediterranean Diet

Part of the book series: Nutrition and Health ((NH))

Abstract

Research has consistently shown that certain dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD), play a role in chronic disease prevention. The MD should be understood not only as a set of foods but also as a cultural model that involves the way foods are selected, produced, processed, and distributed.

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

Access this chapter

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 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
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

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Trichopoulou A, Martínez-González MA, Tong TY, Forouhi NG, Khandelwal S, Prabhakaran D, et al. Definitions and potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet: views from experts around the world. BMC Med. 2014;12:112.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Serra-Majem L, Roman B, Estruch R. Scientific evidence of interventions using the Mediterranean diet: a systematic review. Nutr Rev. 2006;64(2 Pt 2):S27–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Sofi F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A. Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92:1189–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Serra-Majem L, Bes-Rastrollo M, Román B, Pfrimer K, Sánchez-Villegas A, Martínez-González MA. Dietary patterns and nutritional adequacy in a Mediterranean country. Br J Nutr. 2009;101 Suppl 2:S21–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Castro-Quezada I, Román-Viñas B, Serra-Majem L. The Mediterranean diet and nutritional adequacy: a review. Nutrients. 2014;6(1):231–48.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Duchin F. Sustainable consumption of food: a framework for analyzing scenarios about changes in diets. J Ind Ecol. 2005;9:99–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Serra-Majem L. Nutrición comunitaria y sostenibilidad: concepto y evidencias. Rev Esp Nutr Comunitaria. 2010;16:35–40. Spanish.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. UNESCO. Representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/00394. 2010.

  9. Da Silva R, Bach-Faig A, Raidó Quintana B, Buckland G, Vaz de Almeida MD, Serra-Majem L. Worldwide variation of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, in 1961–1965 and 2000–2003. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12:1676–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Keys A, Menotti A, Karoven MI. The diet and the 15-year death rate in the Seven Countries Study. Am J Epidemiol. 1986;124:903–15.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Martínez-González MA, Bes-Rastrollo M, Serra-Majem L, Lairon D, Estruch R, Trichopoulou A. Mediterranean food pattern and the primary prevention of chronic disease: recent developments. Nutr Rev. 2009;67:S111–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvadó J, Covas MI, Corella D, Arós F, et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(14):1279–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sofi F, Macchi C, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A. Mediterranean diet and health status: an updated meta-analysis and a proposal for a literature-based adherence score. Public Health Nutr. 2014;17(12):2769–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Buckland G, Bach A, Serra-Majem L. Obesity and the Mediterranean diet: a systematic review of observational and intervention studies. Obes Rev. 2008;9(6):582–93.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Salas-Salvadó J, Bulló M, Estruch R, Ros E, Covas MI, Ibarrola-Jurado N, et al. Prevention of diabetes with Mediterranean diets: a subgroup analysis of a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2014;160(1):1–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Martínez-González MA, Salas-Salvadó J, Estruch R, Corella D, Fitó M, Ros E, for the PREDIMED Investigators. Benefits of the Mediterranean diet: insights from the PREDIMED study. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2015;58(1):50–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Rodríguez-Rejón AI, Castro-Quezada I, Ruano-Rodríguez C, Ruiz-López MD, Sánchez-Villegas A, Toledo E, et al. Effect of a Mediterranean diet intervention on dietary glycemic load and dietary glycemic index: the PREDIMED study. J Nutr Metab. 2014;2014:985373.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Castro-Quezada I, Sánchez-Villegas A, Estruch R, Salas-Salvadó J, Corella D, Schröder H, et al. A high dietary glycemic index increases total mortality in a Mediterranean population at high cardiovascular risk. PLoS One. 2014;9(9):e107968.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Castro-Quezada I, Sánchez-Villegas A, Martínez-González MA, Salas-Salvadó J, Corella D, Estruch R, et al. Glycemic index, glycemic load and invasive breast cancer incidence in postmenopausal women: the PREDIMED study. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2015 Dec 1. [Epub ahead of print].

    Google Scholar 

  20. Román-Viñas B, Serra-Majem L, Ribas-Barba L, Ngo J, García-Álvarez A, Wijnhoven TMA, et al. Overview of methods used to evaluate the adequacy of nutrient intakes for individuals and populations. Br J Nutr. 2009;101 Suppl 2:S6–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bach A, Serra-Majem L, Carrasco JL, Roman B, Ngo J, Bertomeu I, Obrador B. The use of indexes evaluating the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in epidemiological studies: a review. Public Health Nutr. 2006;9(1A):132–46.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. James WPT, Ferro Luzzi A, Isaksson B, Szostak WB, editors. Healthy nutrition: preventing nutrition related diseases in Europe. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Office for Europe; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Martínez-González MA, Zazpe I, Razquin C, Sánchez-Tainta A, Corella D, Salas-Salvadó J, et al. Empirically-derived food patterns and the risk of total mortality and cardiovascular events in the PREDIMED study. Clin Nutr. 2015;34(5):859–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Serra-Majem L, Medina X. The Mediterranean diet as an intangible and sustainable food culture. In: Preedy VR, Watson RR, editors. The Mediterranean diet. An evidence-based approach. London: Elsevier; 2015. p. 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Gussow JD, Clancy KL. Dietary guidelines for sustainability. J Nutr Educ. 1986;18:1–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Carlsson-Kanyama A, González AD. Potential contributions of food consumption patterns to climate change. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(Suppl):S1704–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Baroni L, Cenci L, Tettamanti M, Berati M. Evaluating the environmental impact of various dietary patterns combined with different food production systems. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2007;61:279–86.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Reijnders L, Soret S. Quantification of the environmental impact of different dietary protein choices. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;78 Suppl 3:S664–8.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Tukker A, Goldbohm RA, De Koning A, Verheijden M, Kleijn R, Wolf O, et al. Environmental impacts of changes to healthier diets in Europe. Ecol Econ. 2011;70:1776–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Wallén A, Brandt N, Wennersten R. Does the Swedish consumer’s choice of food influence greenhouse gas emissions? Environ Sci Policy. 2004;7:525–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Sáez-Almendros S, Obrador B, Bach-Faig A, Serra-Majem L. Environmental footprints of Mediterranean versus Western dietary patterns: beyond the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Environ Health. 2013;12:118.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Stehfest E, Bouwman L, van Vuuren DP, den Elze MGJ, Eickhout B, Kabat P. Climate benefits of changing diet. Clim Change. 2009;95:83–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Keys A, Keys M. Eat well & stay well. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc; 1959.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Helsing E, Trichopoulou A, editors. The Mediterranean diet and food culture—a symposium. London, U.K. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1989;43:1–92.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Serra-Majem L, Helsing E, editors. Changing patterns of fat intake in Mediterranean countries. London, U.K. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1993;47:1–100.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Nestlé M, editor. Mediterranean diets: science and policy implications. California, U.S.A. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61:1313–427.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Serra-Majem L, Ferro-Luzzi A, Bellizzi M, Salleras L. Nutrition policies in Mediterranean Europe. Nutr Rev. 1997;55(11 Pt 2):S42–57.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlqvist ML, Gnardellis C, Lagiou P, Polychronopoulos E, et al. Diet and overall survival in elderly people. BMJ. 1995;311(7018):1457–60.

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Trichopoulou A, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D. Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2009;338:b2337.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Trichopoulou A, Lagiou P. Healthy traditional Mediterranean diet: an expression of culture, history, and lifestyle. Nutr Rev. 1997;55(11 Pt 1):383–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Willett WC, Sacks F, Trichopoulou A, Drescher G, Ferro-Luzzi A, Helsing E, Trichopoulos D. Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61 Suppl 6:S1402–6.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Serra-Majem L, Bach-Faig A, Raidó-Quintana B. Nutritional and cultural aspects of the Mediterranean diet. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2012;82(3):157–62.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Serra-Majem L, Trichopoulou A, Ngo de la Cruz J, Cervera P, García Alvarez A, La Vecchia C, et al. International task force on the Mediterranean diet. Does the definition of the Mediterranean diet need to be updated? Public Health Nutr. 2004;7(7):927–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Serra-Majem L, Bach-Faig A, Miranda G, Clapes-Badrinas C. Foreword: Mediterranean diet and climatic change. Public Health Nutr. 2011;14(12A):2271–3.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Germani A, Vitiello V, Giusti AM, Pinto A, Donini LM, del Balzo V. Environmental and economic sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2014;65(8):1008–12.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Bonaccio M, Di Castelnuovo A, Bonanni A, Costanzo S, De Lucia F, Persichillo M, et al. Decline of the Mediterranean diet at a time of economic crisis. Results from the Moli-sani study. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2014;24(8):853–60.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Shapira N. ‘Health-oriented agriculture’ for nutritional security versus climate change risks in the Mediterranean Basin. World Rev Nutr Diet. 2011;102:201–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Schröder H, Marrugat J, Covas MI. High monetary costs of dietary patterns associated with lower body mass index: a population-based study. Int J Obes. 2006;30:1574–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Drewnowski A, Eichelsdoerfer P. The Mediterranean diet: does it have to cost more? Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(9A):1621–8.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Lopez CN, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Sanchez-Villegas A, Alonso A, Pimenta AM, Bes-Rastrollo M. Costs of Mediterranean and western dietary patterns in a Spanish cohort and their relationship with prospective weight change. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2009;63(11):920–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Schröder H, Gomez SF, Ribas-Barba L, Pérez-Rodrigo C, Bawaked RA, Fitó M, Serra-Majem L. Monetary diet cost, diet quality, and parental socioeconomic status in Spanish youth. Br J Nutr. 2015 (in press).

    Google Scholar 

  52. Schröder H, Vila J, Marrugat J, Covas MI. Low energy density diets are associated with favorable nutrient intake profile and adequacy in free-living elderly men and women. J Nutr. 2008;138(8):1476–81.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Saulle R, Semyonov L, La Torre G. Cost and cost-effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet: results of a systematic review. Nutrients. 2013;5(11):4566–86.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Abdullah MM, Jones JP, Jones PJ. Economic benefits of the Mediterranean-style diet consumption in Canada and the United States. Food Nutr Res. 2015;59:27541.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Rao M, Afshin A, Singh G, Mozaffarian D. Do healthier foods and diet patterns cost more than less healthy options? A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2013;3(12):e004277.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Alexy U, Schwager V, Kersting M. Diet quality and diet costs in German children and adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014;68(10):1175–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Ryden PJ, Hagfors L. Diet cost, diet quality and socio-economic position: how are they related and what contributes to differences in diet costs? Public Health Nutr. 2011;14(9):1680–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Serra-Majem L, Ribas L, Garcia A, Perez-Rodrigo C, Aranceta J. Nutrient adequacy and Mediterranean Diet in Spanish school children and adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2003;57 Suppl 1:S35–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Schroder H, Mendez MA, Ribas L, Funtikova AN, Gomez SF, Fito M, et al. Caloric beverage drinking patterns are differentially associated with diet quality and adiposity among Spanish girls and boys. Eur J Pediatr. 2014;173(9):1169–77.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Schroder H, Mendez MA, Ribas-Barba L, Covas MI, Serra-Majem L. Mediterranean diet and waist circumference in a representative national sample of young Spaniards. Int J Pediatr Obes. 2010;5(6):516–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Schroder H, Mendez MA, Gomez SF, Fito M, Ribas L, Aranceta J, et al. Energy density, diet quality, and central body fat in a nationwide survey of young Spaniards. Nutrition. 2013;29(11–12):1350–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Schroder H, Salas-Salvado J, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Fito M, Corella D, Estruch R, Ros E. Baseline adherence to the Mediterranean diet and major cardiovascular events: Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(10):1690–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Piscopo S. The Mediterranean diet as a nutrition education, health promotion and disease prevention tool. Public Health Nutr. 2009;12(9A):1648–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Bach-Faig A, Berry EM, Lairon D, Reguant J, Trichopoulou A, Dernini S, et al. Mediterranean Diet Foundation Expert Group. Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public Health Nutr. 2011;14(12A):2274–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, CP 35016, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    Lluis Serra-Majem M.D., Ph.D.

  2. WHO Collaborating Center for Nutrition and Health, Athens Medical School, Hellenic Health Foundation, Alexandroupoleos 23, Athens, 11527, Greece

    Antonia Trichopoulou M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Lluis Serra-Majem M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antonia Trichopoulou M.D., Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lluis Serra-Majem M.D., Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Room 303, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Donato F. Romagnolo

  2. Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Univ of Arizona Cancer Center, Tucson, Arizona, USA

    Ornella I. Selmin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2016 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Serra-Majem, L., Trichopoulou, A. (2016). Updating the Benefits of the Mediterranean Diet: From the Heart to the Earth. In: Romagnolo, D., Selmin, O. (eds) Mediterranean Diet. Nutrition and Health. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27969-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27969-5_1

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-27967-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-27969-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation