The Mediterranean diet and alcohol is an important topic. The Mediterranean diet (MD) has long been recognized as being highly effective to good health. It’s also very useful in reducing the risks cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Both alcohol and the MD can improve health. But what’s the MD and what’s the importance of alcohol in it?

The Diet

The MD is this.

• • Drinking alcohol (beer, wine and liquor) regularly and in moderation.
  • Limiting meat and dairy products.
  • Eating lots of veggies, legumes, nuts, fruits, cereals, and fish.
  • Eating monounsaturated (MS) fats over saturated fats.

Researchers at the University of Athens made an analysis. It was of Greek data from the European study EPIC. They gave the data at a scientific meeting.

They calculated the specific sources of the health benefits of the MD. Here are their findings.

• • Moderate alcohol (beer, wine, liquor or spirits) drinking (24%)
  • Low intake of meat and meat products (17%)
  • High vegetable eating (16%).
    • Nut and fruit eating (11%).
    • MS-to-saturated fat eating (11%).
    •  Legume eating (11%).

The MD reduces the risk of CVD. Those are least half the deaths in the US each year. Also the diet gives many other benefits to health and long life.

Mediterranean Diet and Alcohol

• • Visit the Oldways website for recipes and other helpful info,
  • Pyramid by permission Oldways.