'Green' Mediterranean vs 'Original' Mediterranean Diet: Which is Better for Heart Health
Taking care of the body is one of the most important duties an individual should prioritize. It is because when the body is in its peak condition, an individual will perform better in his or her tasks daily.
Organs inside the body should also be taken care of, for them to function better. Think of yourself as a machine. You need to tend and oil the mechanic parts so that the entirety will function harmoniously and splendid. Well and Good mentions a recent study that the 'green' version of the Mediterranean diet can make the heart-healthy components of the meal plan even more effective.
Inside the body, one of the most hardworking organs is the heart. That is why most of the products in the market are aligned for their protection and well-being. Most people dive into different diets that are most beneficial to the heart and of course weight loss.
One of the diets that prove its benefit for the heart from various studies is the Mediterranean diet. According to Well and Good, for experts, this eating plan has built its reputation. They added that hundreds of studies linked this eating plan to benefit heart health, brain health, and established its reputation for preventing chronic inflammation. Composing of proteins, seafood, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables, this diet has been the secret of people from the southern part of Italy and Greece for their life's longevity.
Study Methods
According to Well and Good, the researchers of the study s94 participants followed one of three diets for 18 months. The researchers emphasized that the first group received a healthy dietary guidance plan, which made them receive advice from experts on how to increase daily activity and a healthy diet.
The researchers also noted that the second group followed the traditional or original Mediterranean diet and received advice just like how the first group received advice from experts. The researcher further said that the third group followed the Green Mediterranean diet which according to the expert will have an additional three to four cups of green tea and a daily beverage which is a plant-based protein shake. The researchers also stress that the three groups of the study's participants have equal calories to be consumed daily.
Well and Good emphasized that the researchers were able to find out that the group that follows the green Mediterranean diet has an impressive result demonstrating the biggest waning in unhealthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure which is good news for heart health.
Expert views
In an interview with Well and Good, Tracy Beckerman, RD, a registered dietician said that there are advantages of some foods taken in the Green Mediterranean Diet such as green tea. She emphasized in the interview that green tea is rich in antioxidants, which according to Mayo Clinic are substances that protect the cells against free radicals. They added that it also plays a role in heart disease prevention.
The researchers of the study added in the release that the said Green MED diet which is richer in greens or vegetables provides a greater reversion of heart health risks. The researchers also specified that more research is needed to be done to verify the results.
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Dec 01, 2020 12:00 PM EST
