We have always heard that a healthy and balanced diet is key to good health. However, most people are unaware of what it consists of and how it really influences our well-being. If you are one of those people, you’ve come to the right place. Throughout this article, we will try to explain more about the benefits of a good diet and how it can become an ally in the prevention of diseases.
What is a healthy and balanced diet?
Let’s start at the beginning, what do we mean when we talk about healthy eating? To answer this question, we must take into account our biology. For our body to function properly, it needs to obtain a multitude of nutrients which, of course, we acquire through what we eat. In fact, healthy eating habits begin with
begin with breastfeeding.
. Not only does it contribute to the healthy growth and cognitive development of the newborn, but its benefits are long-lasting. For example, it reduces the risk of overweight and other diseases throughout life.
That said, our diet must respond to two basic premises:
- What we eat should contain the right amount and variety of nutrients to meet our needs. This includes vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and, of course, carbohydrates. All of these should be in proportionate quantities to each other.
- The amount of calories ingested must be sufficient to guarantee our daily activity, as well as the correct functioning of our organism. Similarly, it must be in line with the caloric expenditure throughout the day to avoid unhealthy weight gain.
With these premises in mind, it is not surprising that you have thought about the Mediterranean diet. This traditional way of eating that the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea basin had has reached our days not only for its taste, but also for its incredible nutritional properties. So much so that it has been named on multiple occasions by U.S. News & World Report as the best diet in the world.
Characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet
If you grew up in Spain, you will have been in contact with this way of understanding food from a very young age. After all, Spanish cuisine is fundamentally based on the Mediterranean diet. Undoubtedly, a great option if you are considering taking care of your health. We tell you what makes it so special:
- The diet is based on the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains.
- This diet is rich in healthy fats and omega3 such as olive oil, oily fish or nuts.
- Many foods are part of this diet, so it provides a great variety of combinations and, therefore, nutrients.
Food, the best protection against diseases
According to the WHO (World Health Organization), this is how the Mediterranean diet influences our health.
Combats malnutrition
This concept refers to several scenarios. On the one hand, malnutrition, which is what occurs when there is underweight, stunting or wasting. On the other, obesity and overweight, as well as vitamin and mineral imbalances and diet-related diseases.
According to WHO data, 1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, in contrast to the 462 million individuals who are underweight. In this context, we are talking about two sides of the same problem: malnutrition.
Prevents non-communicable diseases
Foods such as sugar, salt and fats are responsible for a multitude of health problems. Hence the need for a healthy lifestyle and diet to regulate the intake of these substances.
A balanced diet is also a great help in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. This is the case for stroke, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and even depression and cancer.
In fact, there is no shortage of research linking diet to cancer. The study “Diet and cancer” published in the Spanish Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology, points out that up to 30% of cancer cases are caused by diet. Likewise, there are analyses that highlight the value of the Mediterranean diet as a preventive measure in the development of breast cancer.
Do you dare to opt for a healthy and balanced diet? Take advantage of the treasure of the Mediterranean diet that we have in our country and gain in health and wellness. In addition, we invite you to continue reading the interesting articles in our blog and, of course, to visit our online store. Did you know that you can use the power of Olimina3 polyphenols to treat joint pain? Living a healthy life has never been so easy!
