NCTV Episode 83

Continuing with the series of bitesize health tip videos which can be found here on my YouTube Channel, this episode, includes:-

  • Where the Mediterranean Diet originated (in case it’s not obvious)
  • What it involves
  • The health benefits
  • The evidence
  • Cameo appearances from three other Coysh’s

Transcript

If you’d prefer to read the content within, rather than watch the video, then feel free to read the transcript, as follows:-

Hello and welcome to NCTV Episode 83 on tour, whilst on a family summer holiday to Crete to be precise.

The inspiration for today’s bitesize health tip comes from one of the healthiest things about the Greeks which is their Mediterranean diet.

It should be noted that rather than a strictly regimented diet plan as such it is more of a healthy eating pattern based on dietary traditions that originated in Crete and southern Italy in the mid 20th Century.

The reason why it’s believed to be one of the healthiest diets is due to the low rates of chronic disease and higher than average life expectancy even despite the limited access to healthcare in these regions.

However, it’s important to remember that diet alone is not the be all and end all to achieve better health and increased life expectancy. Other factors need to be taken into consideration such as daily exercise consisting of enjoyable activities and the social element of eating meals together which no doubt plays a part in the good health of the people here.

Back to the Mediterranean diet itself though and this is predominantly non-processed and plant based, consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, beans and other legumes, nuts, whole grains, olive oil, herbs, spices, small amounts of dairy and red wine whilst favouring fish & poultry over red meat.

A few extra points to mention is that there’s an emphasis on healthy fats such as olive oil over the likes of butter & margarine. These healthy fats occur naturally in the likes of avocado, nuts and oily fish in the form of omega-3 fatty acids.

When it comes to fish being preferred over other animal protein, this tends to be consumed a couple times a week as opposed to red meat which may only be a couple times a month.

The main beverage, you may not be surprised to hear, is water but do they allow a moderate intake of wine with their meals, about one or two glasses a day for men and one a day for women.

Due to its ability to help reduce the rates of chronic conditions like heart disease, many doctors have been known to actually prescribe the Mediterranean diet.

It’s also often promoted to decrease depression and dementia, help with weight loss, reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes plus it’s said to help with certain types of cancers.

That’s it for this week’s bitesize bit to help your health flourish. I’m off to hit the beach and will see you again next time. Bye bye for now!