The Mediterranean Lifestyle: The Power of Food

A cooked dish of diced tomatoes and yellow squash. Food, eating, nutrition, fruits and vegetables. UF/IFAS Photo by Tyler Jones.

The Mediterranean diet dates back to the early 1960s, in which the population living among the Mediterranean basin, much of Greece and Southern Italy consumed high amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and unprocessed cereals with minimal consumption of meat. This dietary pattern has been shown to improve heart health, maintain weight, and reduce the risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This new 6-page publication discusses the Mediterranean dietary pattern and provides tips to incorporate this lifestyle into daily life, as well as sample recipes. Written by Charissa Lim, Alexa Hosey, Farah Tadros, Madison Woodard, and Jeanette Andrade, and published by the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs399

Diet and Chronic Inflammation

Assortment of food and groceries that can be purchased for under twenty-five dollars. Photo taken 11-09-16.

Inflammation is your body’s response to injury and infection—it’s how your immune system helps to protect you from harm. In contrast, chronic inflammation contributes to many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and kidney and liver disease. This new 4-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department discusses inflammation and the dietary choices that may help to reduce chronic inflammation. Written by Daniela Rivero-Mendoza and Wendy Dahl.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs402