Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern emphasizing vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and fish, with moderate dairy and limited red meat. Rich in monounsaturated fats, fiber, and polyphenols, it is associated with lower systemic inflammation, improved lipid profiles, and better endothelial function. Long-term adherence is associated in cohort studies and the PREDIMED trial (which tested Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or mixed nuts; retracted and republished in 2018) with reduced cardiovascular events, type 2 diabetes risk, and all-cause mortality.