Evolution of Mediterranean diets and cuisine: Concepts and definitions

Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Volumn 26, Issue 5, 2017, Pages 749-763

  Radd Vagenas, Sue ^a   Kouris Blazos, Antigone ^b   Singh, Maria Fiatarone ^a   Flood, Victoria M ^a,c,d  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY   (Australia)

^b LA TROBE UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

^c St Vincent's Health Network   (Australia)

^d WESTERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT   (Australia)

Author keywords

Diet index; Diet pattern; Mediterranean diet; Plant based diet; Traditional foods

Indexed keywords

COOKING; FEEDING BEHAVIOR; HUMAN; MEDITERRANEAN DIET;

COOKING; DIET, MEDITERRANEAN; FEEDING BEHAVIOR; HUMANS;

EID: 85029557071     PISSN: 09647058     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.6133/apjcn.082016.06     Document Type: Review

References (126)

1. Gotsis E, Anagnostis P, Mariolis A, Vlachou A, Katsiki N, Karagiannis A. Health benefits of the Mediterranean diet: an update of research over the last 5 years. Angiology. 2015;66: 304-18. doi: 10.1177/0003319714532169
2. Sofi F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A. Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92:1189-96. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2010.29673
3. Sofi F, Casini A. Mediterranean diet and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: new therapeutic option around the corner? World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20:7339-46. doi: 10.3748/wjg. v20.i23.7339
4. Sofi F, Cesari F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A. Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: metaanalysis. BMJ. 2008;337:a1344. doi: 10.1136/bmj.a1344
5. Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlqvist ML, Gnardellis C, Lagiou P, Polychronopoulos E et al. Diet and overall survival in elderly people. BMJ. 1995;311:1457-60
6. Trichopoulou A, Orfanos P, Norat T, Bueno-de-Mesquita B, Ocké MC, Peeters PHM et al. Modified Mediterranean diet and survival: EPIC-elderly prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2005;330:991. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38415.644155.8f
7. Valls-Pedret C, Sala-Vila A, Serra-Mir M, Corella D, de la Torre R, Martínez-González Má et al. Mediterranean diet and age-related cognitive decline: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175:1094-103. doi: 10.1001/jama internmed.2015.1668
8. Bach-Faig A, Berry EM, Lairon D, Reguant J, Trichopoulou A, Dernini S et al. Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public Health Nutr. 2011;14: 2274-84. doi: 10.1017/S136898001100 2515
9. Ministry of Health and Welfare: Supreme Scientific Health Council. Dietary guidelines for adults in Greece. Arch Hellen Med. 1999;16:516-24
10. Oldways. Mediterranean diet pyramid 2008. 2015/12/18 [cited 2016/02/24]; Available from: http://oldwayspt.org/ resources/heritage-pyramids/mediterranean-pyramid/overvie w
11. Willett WC, Sacks F, Trichopoulou A, Drescher G, Ferro-Luzzi A, Helsing E et al. Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61: 1402S-6S
12. Alberti-Fidanza A, Fidanza F, Chiuchiu MP, Verducci G, Fruttini D. Dietary studies on two rural Italian population groups of the Seven Countries Study. 3. Trend of food and nutrient intake from 1960 to 1991. Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999;53: 854-60. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600865
13. Goulet J, Nadeau G, Lemieux S. Effect of a nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern on plasma lipids, lipoproteins and body weight in healthy French-Canadian women. Atherosclerosis. 2003;170:115-24. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9150(03)00243-0
14. Panagiotakos DB, Milias GA, Pitsavos C, Stefanadis C. MedDietScore: A computer program that evaluates the adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and its relation to cardiovascular disease risk. Comput Methods Programs Biomed. 2006;83:73-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2006. 05.003
15. Schroder H, Fito M, Estruch R, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Salas-Salvado J et al. A short screener is valid for assessing Mediterranean diet adherence among older Spanish men and women. J Nutr. 2011;141:1140-5. doi: 10. 3945/jn.110.135566
16. Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:2599-608. doi: 10. 1056/nejmoa025039
17. Altomare R, Cacciabaudo F, Damiano G, Palumbo VD, Gioviale MC, Bellavia M et al. The Mediterranean diet: a history of health. Iran J Publ Health. 2013;42:449-57
18. Bispham E, Harrison TJ, Sparkes BA. The Edinburgh companion to ancient Greece and Rome. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press; 2006
19. Boardman J, Edwards IES, Sollberger E, Hammond NGL. The Cambridge ancient history. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1992
20. Mellersh HEL, Williams N. Chronology of world history. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO; 1999
21. Vasilopoulou E, Georga K, Joergensen M, Naska A, Trichopoulou A. The antioxidant properties of Greek foods and the flavonoid content of the Mediterranean menu. Curr Med Chem Immunol Endocr Metab Agents. 2005;5:33-45. doi: 10.2174/1568013053005508
22. Skiadas P, Lascaratos J. Dietetics in ancient Greek philosophy: Plato's concepts of healthy diet. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2001;55:532-7. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601179
23. Salas-Salvadó J, Huetos-Solano MD, García-Lorda P, Bulló M. Diet and dietetics in al-Andalus. Br J Nutr. 2006;96: S100-S04. doi: 10.1079/bjn20061710
24. Mariani-Costantini A, Ligabue G. Did Columbus also open the exploration of the modern diet? Nutr Rev. 1992;50:313-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.1992.tb07717.x
25. Alberti-Fidanza A, Fidanza F. Mediterranean adequacy index of Italian diets. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7:937-41. doi: 10.1079/phn2004557
26. Kromhout D, Keys A, Aravanis C, Buzina R, Fidanza F, Giampaoli S et al. Food consumption patterns in the 1960s in seven countries. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;49:889-94
27. Trichopoulou A. Mediterranean diet, traditional foods, and health: evidence from the Greek EPIC cohort. Food Nutr Bull. 2007;28:236-40
28. Weichselbaum E, Benelam B, Soares Costa H. Traditional foods in Europe: Synthesis report No. 6. 2015/12/18 [cited 2016/02/24]; Available from: http://www.eurofir.org/?page_ id=10
29. Trichopoulou A. Diversity v. globalization: traditional foods at the epicentre. Public Health Nutr. 2012;15:951-4. doi: 10. 1017/s1368980012000304
30. Keys A. Mediterranean diet and public health: personal reflections. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61:1321S-3S
31. Fidanza F, Alberti A. The healthy Italian Mediterranean diet temple food guide. Nutr Today. 2005;40:71-8. doi: 10.1097/ 00017285-200503000-00005
32. Kouris-Blazos A, Itsiopoulos C. Low all-cause mortality despite high cardiovascular risk in elderly Greek-born Australians: attenuating potential of diet? Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2014;23:532-44. doi: 10.6133/apjcn.2014.23.4.16
33. Farr Louis D. Feasting & fasting in Crete. Athens, Greece: Kedros Publications; 2001
34. The University of Sydney. Glycemic index website. 2015/12/18 [cited 2016/02/24]; Available from: http://www. glycemicindex.com/foodSearch.php
35. Adom KK, Sorrells ME, Liu RH. Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of wheat varieties. J Agric Food Chem. 2003;51:7825-34. doi: 10.1021/jf030404l
36. Ostman E, Granfeldt Y, Persson L, Bjorck I. Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005;59:983-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602197
37. Uribarri J, Woodruff S, Goodman S, Cai W, Chen X, Pyzik R et al. Advanced glycation end products in foods and a practical guide to their reduction in the diet. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110:911-6.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.03.01 8
38. International Olive Council. Market newsletter No. 91: trends in world olive oil consumption. 2016/02/24 [cited 2016/02/24]; Available from: http://www.internationalolive oil.org/news/view/682-year-2015-news/578-market-newslett er-february-2015
39. Karpadakis M. World (extra virgin) olive oil consumption. The Chania Post. Feb-March, 2015:24
40. Allbaugh LG. Crete: a case study of an underdeveloped area. New Jersey: Princeton University Press; 1953
41. Ramirez-Anaya Jdel P, Samaniego-Sanchez C, Castaneda-Saucedo MC, Villalon-Mir M, de la Serrana HL. Phenols and the antioxidant capacity of Mediterranean vegetables prepared with extra virgin olive oil using different domestic cooking techniques. Food Chem. 2015;188:430-8. doi: 10. 1016/j.foodchem.2015.04.124
42. Johnson EJ. Role of lutein and zeaxanthin in visual and cognitive function throughout the lifespan. Nutr Rev. 2014; 72:605-12. doi: 10.1111/nure.12133
43. Ashworth A, Mitchell K, Blackwell JR, Vanhatalo A, Jones AM. High-nitrate vegetable diet increases plasma nitrate and nitrite concentrations and reduces blood pressure in healthy women. Public Health Nutr. 2015;18:2669-78. doi: 10.1017/ S1368980015000038
44. Lidder S, Webb AJ. Vascular effects of dietary nitrate (as found in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) via the nitrate nitrite nitric oxide pathway. Br-J Clin Pharmacol. 2013;75:677-96. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04420.x
45. Su Q, Rowley K, Itsiopoulos C, O'Dea K. Identification and quantitation of major carotenoids in selected components of the Mediterranean diet: green leafy vegetables, figs and olive oil. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2002;56:1149-54. doi: 10.1038/sj. ejcn.1601472
46. Speciale G, Jin Y, Davies GJ, Williams SJ, Goddard-Borger ED. YihQ is a sulfoquinovosidase that cleaves sulfoquinovosyl diacylglyceride sulfolipids. Nat Chem Biol. 2016;12:215. doi: 10.1038/nchembio.2023
47. Velasco J, Dobarganes C. Oxidative stability of virgin olive oil. Eur J Lipid Sci Tech. 2002;104:661-76. doi: 10.1002/ 1438-9312(200210)104:9/10<661::AID-EJLT661>3.0.CO;2-D
48. Aiello A, Guccione GD, Accardi G, Caruso C. What olive oil for healthy ageing? Maturitas. 2015;80:117-8. doi: 10. 1016/j.maturitas.2014.10.016
49. Slimestad R, Fossen T, Vågen IM. Onions: a source of unique dietary flavonoids. J Agric Food Chem. 2007;55: 10067-80. doi: 10.1021/jf0712503
50. Virruso C, Accardi G, Colonna-Romano G, Candore G, Vasto S, Caruso C. Nutraceutical properties of extra-virgin olive oil: a natural remedy for age-related disease? Rejuvenation Res. 2014;17:217-20. doi: 10.1089/rej.2013.15 32
51. Trichopoulou A, Vasilopoulou E, Georga K, Soukara S, Dilis V. Traditional foods: why and how to sustain them. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2006;17:498-504. doi: 10.1016/j. tifs.2006.03.005
52. Opara EI, Chohan M. Culinary herbs and spices: their bioactive properties, the contribution of polyphenols and the challenges in deducing their true health benefits. Int J Mol Sci. 2014;15:19183-202. doi: 10.3390/ijms151019183
53. Singletary K. Oregano: Overview of the literature on health benefits. Nutr Today. 2010;45:129-38. doi: 10.1097/NT.0b 013e3181dec789
54. Ros E. Contribution of nuts to the Mediterranean diet. In: Preedy V, Watson R, editors. The Mediterranean diet: an evidence-based approach. London: Academic Press; 2015. pp. 175-84
55. Souza RGM, Gomes AC, Naves MMV, Mota JF. Nuts and legume seeds for cardiovascular risk reduction: scientific evidence and mechanisms of action. Nutr Rev. 2015;73:335-47. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuu008
56. Cohen HA, Rozen J, Kristal H, Laks Y, Berkovitch M, Uziel Y et al. Effect of honey on nocturnal cough and sleep quality: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Pediatrics. 2012;130:465-71. doi: 10.1542/peds.2011-3075
57. Molan PC. Re-introducing honey in the management of wounds and ulcers-theory and practice. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2002;48:28-40
58. Matalas A-L. Disparities within traditional Mediterranean food patterns: an historical approach of the Greek diet. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2006;57:529-36. doi: 10.1080/096374806010 41037
59. Niseteo T, Komes D, Belšcak-Cvitanovic A, Horžic D, Budec M. Bioactive composition and antioxidant potential of different commonly consumed coffee brews affected by their preparation technique and milk addition. Food Chem. 2012;134:1870-77. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.03.095
60. Samanidou V, Tsagiannidis A, Sarakatsianos I. Simultaneous determination of polyphenols and major purine alkaloids in Greek Sideritis species, herbal extracts, green tea, black tea, and coffee by high-performance liquid chromatographydiode array detection. J Sep Sci. 2012;35:608-15. doi: 10. 1002/jssc. 201100894
61. Cano-Marquina A, Tarín JJ, Cano A. The impact of coffee on health. Maturitas. 2013;75:7-21. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas. 2013.02.002
62. Siasos G, Oikonomou E, Chrysohoou C, Tousoulis D, Panagiotakos D, Zaromitidou M et al. Consumption of a boiled Greek type of coffee is associated with improved endothelial function: The Ikaria Study. Vasc Med. 2013;18: 55-62. doi: 10.1177/1358863x13480258
63. Pal S, Woodford K, Kukuljan S, Ho S. Milk intolerance, beta-casein and lactose. Nutrients. 2015;7:7285-97. doi: 10. 3390/nu7095339
64. Bell SJ, Grochoski GT, Clarke AJ. Health implications of milk containing β-casein with the A2 genetic variant. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2006;46:93-100. doi: 10.1080/10408390 591001144
65. Wahlqvist ML, Kouris-Blazos A, Trichopoulou A, Polychronopoulos E. The wisdom of the Greek cuisine and way of life: comparison of the food and health beliefs of elderly Greeks in Greece and Australia. Age Nutr. 1991;2: 163-73
66. Simopoulos AP. The Mediterranean diets: What is so special about the diet of Greece? The scientific evidence. J Nutr. 2001;131:3065S-73S
67. World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research. Food, nutrition, physical activity, and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Washington DC: AICR; 2007
68. Iriti M, Vitalini S. Health-promoting effects of traditional mediterranean diets: a review. Pol J Food Nutr Sci. 2012;62: 71-6. doi: 10.2478/v10222-011-0047-z
69. Widmer RJ, Flammer AJ, Lerman LO, Lerman A. The Mediterranean diet, its components, and cardiovascular disease. Am J Med. 2015;128:229-38. doi: 10.1016/j. amjmed.2014.10.014
70. Darmadi-Blackberry I, Wahlqvist ML, Kouris-Blazos A, Steen B, Lukito W, Horie Y et al. Legumes: the most important dietary predictor of survival in older people of different ethnicities. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2004;13:217-20
71. Trichopoulou A, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D. Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2009;338:b2337. doi: 10. 1136/bmj.b2337
72. Grosso G, Marventano S, Yang J, Micek A, Pajak A, Scalfi L et al. A comprehensive meta-analysis on evidence of Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: are individual components equal? Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2017;57:3218-32. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2015.11070 21
73. de Lorgeril M. Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: historical perspective and latest evidence. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2013;15:370. doi: 10.1007/s11883-013-0370-4
74. de Lorgeril M, Renaud S, Salen P, Monjaud I, Mamelle N, Martin JL et al. Mediterranean alpha-linolenic acid-rich diet in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Lancet. 1994;343:1454-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(94)92580-1
75. de Lorgeril M, Salen P, Martin J-L, Monjaud I, Delaye J, Mamelle N. Mediterranean diet, traditional risk factors, and the rate of cardiovascular complications after myocardial infarction: final report of the Lyon diet heart study. Circulation. 1999;99:779-85. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.99.6.779
76. Estruch R, Ros E, Salas-Salvado J, Covas MI, Corella D, Aros F et al. Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1279-90. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1200303
77. Martínez-González MA, Salas-Salvadó J, Estruch R, Corella D, Fitó M, Ros E. Benefits of the Mediterranean diet: insights from the PREDIMED study. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2015;58:50-60. doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2015.04.003
78. Tyrovolas S, Polychronopoulos E, Bountziouka V, Zeimbekis A, Tsiligiani I, Papoutsou S et al. Level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet among elderly individuals living in Mediterranean Islands: nutritional report from the MEDIS study. Ecol Food Nutr. 2009;48:76-87. doi: 10.1080/03670240802577390
79. Kremezi A. Nikolas Tselementes. In: Walker H, ed. Cooks & other people: proceedings of the Oxford symposium of food and cookery 1995. England: Prospect Books 1996. pp. 162-9
80. Piscopo S. Socio-ecological factors influencing food choices and behaviors of Maltese primary schoolchildren [PhD thesis]. England: University of Birmingham; 2004
81. Tourlouki E, Matalas A-L, Bountziouka V, Tyrovolas S, Zeimbekis A, Gotsis E et al. Are current dietary habits in Mediterranean Islands a reflection of the past? Results from the MEDIS Study. Ecol Food Nutr. 2013;52:371-86. doi: 10.1080/03670244.2012.707431
82. Davis C, Bryan J, Hodgson J, Murphy K. Definition of the Mediterranean diet: a literature review. Nutrients. 2015;7: 9139-53. doi: 10.3390/nu7115459
83. UN Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. 2015/12/18 [cited 2015/12/18]; Available from: www.unisob.na.it/ateneo/c002/ unesco_nomination_file_rl2 010.pdf
84. Crawford D, Ball K, Mishra G, Salmon J, Timperio A. Which food-related behaviours are associated with healthier intakes of fruits and vegetables among women? Public Health Nutr. 2007;10:256-65. doi: 10.1017/S13689800072 46798
85. Monsivais P, Aggarwal A, Drewnowski A. Time spent on home food preparation and indicators of healthy eating. Am J Prev Med. 2014;47:796-802. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2014. 07.033
86. Pes GM, Tolu F, Dore MP, Sechi GP, Errigo A, Canelada A et al. Male longevity in Sardinia, a review of historical sources supporting a causal link with dietary factors. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2015;69:411-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2014.230
87. Birlouez-Aragon I, Saavedra G, Tessier FJ, Galinier A, Ait-Ameur L, Lacoste F et al. A diet based on high-heat-treated foods promotes risk factors for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;91:1220-6. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28737
88. Dybing E, Farmer PB, Andersen M, Fennell TR, Lalljie SPD, Müller DJG et al. Human exposure and internal dose assessments of acrylamide in food. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005;43:365-410. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2004.11.004
89. Negrean M, Stirban A, Stratmann B, Gawlowski T, Horstmann T, Götting C et al. Effects of low-and highadvanced glycation endproduct meals on macro-and microvascular endothelial function and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85:1236-43
90. Riboldi BP, Vinhas AM, Moreira JD. Risks of dietary acrylamide exposure: a systematic review. Food Chem. 2014;157:310-22. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.02.046
91. Vlassara H, Striker GE. Advanced glycation endproducts in diabetes and diabetic complications. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2013;42:697-719. doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2013.07.005
92. Sukkar SG. Mediterranean diet? no, thanks: Mediterranean lifestyle! Med J Nutr Metab. 2011;4:79-81. doi: 10.1007/s12 349-011-0070-y
93. Serra-Majem L, Bach-Faig A, Raido-Quintana B. Nutritional and cultural aspects of the Mediterranean diet. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2012;82:157-62. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000106
94. Panagiotakos DB, Chrysohoou C, Siasos G, Zisimos K, Skoumas J, Pitsavos C et al. Sociodemographic and lifestyle statistics of oldest old people ( > 80 years) living in Ikaria island: the Ikaria Study. Cardiol Res Pract. 2011;2011:1-7. doi: 10.4061/2011/679187
95. Lamisere J. Mindful snacking on the increase. Food Australia. 2015;67:22-3
96. Langley S. Australia's snacking habits revealed, Nielsen. 2015/12/18 [cited 2015/12/18]; Available from: http://ausfoodnews.com.au/2014/11/19/australias-snackinghabits-revealed-nielsen.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm _medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+AustralianFoodNe ws+(Australian+Food+News)
97. Duffey KJ, Popkin BM. Energy density, portion size, and eating occasions: contributions to increased energy intake in the United States, 1977-2006. PLoS Med. 2011;8:e1001050. doi: 10.1371/journal. pmed.1001050
98. Sarri KO, Linardakis MK, Bervanaki FN, Tzanakis NE, Kafatos AG. Greek Orthodox fasting rituals: a hidden characteristic of the Mediterranean diet of Crete. Br J Nutr. 2004;92:277-84. doi: 10.1079/BJN20041197
99. Cotillard A, Kennedy SP, Kong LC, Prifti E, Pons N, Le Chatelier E et al. Dietary intervention impact on gut microbial gene richness. Nature. 2013;500:585-8. doi: 10. 1038/nature12480
100. Koeth RA, Wang Z, Levison BS, Buffa JA, Org E, Sheehy BT et al. Intestinal microbiota metabolism of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis. Nat Med. 2013;19:576-85. doi: 10.1038/nm.3145
101. Tang WH, Wang Z, Levison BS, Koeth RA, Britt EB, Fu X et al. Intestinal microbial metabolism of phosphatidylcholine and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med. 2013;368:1575-84. doi: 10.1056/ NEJMoa1109400
102. Tuohy KM, Fava F, Viola R. 'The way to a man's heart is through his gut microbiota'-dietary pro-and prebiotics for the management of cardiovascular risk. Proc Nutr Soc. 2014; 73:172-85. doi: 10.1017/S0029665113003911
103. De Filippis F, Pellegrini N, Vannini L, Jeffery IB, La Storia A, Laghi L et al. High-level adherence to a Mediterranean diet beneficially impacts the gut microbiota and associated metabolome. Gut. 2016;65:1812-21. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2015-309957
104. Darmos-Thodis T. Depressive symptoms and the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Greek Australians: preliminary findings from the Mediterranean Islands (MEDISAustralia) study. 2015/12/18 [cited 2015/12/18]; Available from: www.atiner.gr/papers/PSY2013-0470.pdf
105. Naska A, Oikonomou E, Trichopoulou A, Psaltopoulou T, Trichopoulos D. Siesta in healthy adults and coronary mortality in the general population. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167: 296-301. doi: 10.1001/archinte.167.3.296
106. Trichopoulos D, Tzonou A, Christopoulos C, Havatzoglou S, Trichopoulou A. Siesta and risk of coronary heart disease. Stress Med.1988;4:143-8. doi: 10.1002/smi.2460040306
107. Kallistratos M, Poulimenos L, Karamanou A, Kouremenos N, Koukouzeli A, Zacharopoulou I et al. Association of mid-day naps occurrence and duration with blood pressure levels in hypertensive patients. A prospective observational study. J Hypertens.2015;33:e277. doi: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000 468209.39013.ca
108. Oliveira A, Lopes C, Rodriguez-Artalejo F. Adherence to the Southern European Atlantic Diet and occurrence of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010;92: 211-7. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.29075
109. Panagiotakos DB, Pitsavos C, Arvaniti F, Stefanadis C. Adherence to the Mediterranean food pattern predicts the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and obesity, among healthy adults; the accuracy of the MedDietScore. Prev Med. 2007;44:335-40. doi: 10.1016/j. ypmed.2006.12.009
110. D'Alessandro A, De Pergola G. Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease: a critical evaluation of a priori dietary indexes. Nutrients. 2015;7:7863-88. doi: 10.3390/nu709 5367
111. Food habits in later life: a cross-cultural study [computer program]. Tokyo: United Nations University Press/Asia Pac J Clin Nutr; 1995
112. Ciccarone E, Di Castelnuovo A, Salcuni M, Siani A, Giacco A, Donati MB et al. A high-score Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with a reduced risk of peripheral arterial disease in Italian patients with type 2 diabetes. J Thromb Haemost. 2003;1:1744-52. doi: 10.1046/j.1538-7836.2003. 00323.x
113. Radd-Vagenas S, Kouris-Blazos A, Fiatarone Singh M, Flood VM. What is the traditional Mediterranean diet? JNIM. 2015;4:45. doi: 10.1016/j.jnim.2015.12.320
114. Sotos-Prieto M, Moreno-Franco B, Ordovás JM, León M, Casasnovas JA, Peñalvo JL. Design and development of an instrument to measure overall lifestyle habits for epidemiological research: the Mediterranean Lifestyle (MEDLIFE) index. Public Health Nutr. 2014;18:959-67. doi: 10.1017/S 1368980014001360
115. Ghiselli A, Damicis A, Giacosa A. The antioxidant potential of the Mediterranean diet. Eur J Cancer Prev. 1997;6:S15-9. doi: 10.1097/00008469-199703001-00004
116. Cannon G. Out of the Christmas box. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7:987-90. doi: 10.1079/PHN2004684
117. Wahlqvist ML, Lee MS. Regional food culture and development. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16(Suppl 1):2-7
118. De Lorenzo A, Alberti A, Andreoli A, Iacopino L, Serrano P, Perriello G. Food habits in a southern Italian town (Nicotera) in 1960 and 1996: still a reference Italian Mediterranean diet? Diabetes Nutr Metab. 2001;14:121-5
119. Helsing E. Traditional diets and disease patterns of the Mediterranean, circa 1960. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;61:1329S-37S
120. Fardet A, Boirie Y. Associations between food and beverage groups and major diet-related chronic diseases: an exhaustive review of pooled/meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Nutr Rev. 2014;72:741-62. doi: 10.1111/nure.12153
121. Tilman D, Clark M. Global diets link environmental sustainability and human health. Nature. 2014;515:518-22. doi: 10.1038/nature13959
122. Estruch R, Ros E, Martinez-Gonzalez MA. Mediterranean diet for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2013;369:676-7. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1306659
123. Ros E, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Estruch R, Salas-Salvado J, Fito M, Martinez JA et al. Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular health: Teachings of the PREDIMED study. Adv Nutr. 2014;5:330S-6S. doi: 10.3945/an.113.005389
124. National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian dietary guidelines. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council; 2013
125. US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture. 2015-2010 Dietary guidelines for Americans, 8th Edition. Washington DC: US Government Printing Office; 2015
126. Woo J, Woo K, Leung S, Chook P, Liu B, Ip R et al. The Mediterranean score of dietary habits in Chinese populations in four different geographical areas. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2001;55:215-20. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601150