My Big, Fat Greek Pantry
There has been a lot said over the last decade about the virtues of eating a Mediterranean diet. Principally, research suggests that people who live in the region have lower rates of heart disease and improved longevity. 
What does a Mediterranean diet look like?
Traditionally, Greek food relies heavily on fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. Foods are cooked in olive oil, and fish are favored on a daily basis over meat and poultry. Yogurt and cheese are sparse parts of the diet, used to flavor dips, and salads. Alcohol intakes is moderate and usually wine and ouzo, a anise flavored liqueur, the Greek national spirit, is favored over beer and other liquors.
Many studies, some involving tens of thousands of Greeks, between the ages 20 and 90, have determined that a Mediterranean diet is associated with improved cardiovascular health and lower rates of cancer. A Swedish study, from 2003, found that a Mediterranean diet can help control the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis. Though unsure exactly why a diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains and olive oil would benefit arthritis sufferers, researchers think it may have to do with Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and olive oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are "healthy" fat acids that may reduce inflammation. Also, fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients and antioxidants that may also control inflammation and reduce damage to cells.
Is a Mediterranean diet all about the food?
No medical expert would argue that eating fresh vegetables, whole grains, and a diet low in saturated fats is doing your body harm, but there may be an additional benefit to the Mediterranean way of eating, often overlooked by science. Culturally, meals are a time of languid celebration with family and friends. Traditional Greek meals are served late in the day, and can stretch on for hours. Men and women, especially from the Greek island of Crete, live to record ages, past one hundred.
What are these centenarians doing that we're not?
While researchers have focused on the nutrient benefit that comes from Mediterranean dining, Blue Zones takes a more holistic approach to health. A relaxed island lifestyle, social gatherings between friends, these events also contribute to longevity. It would seem there is more than a healthy diet at work when we talk about Mediterranean eating. Socializing and spending time with family and friends may also reduce inflammation and contribute to a long, healthy life, by reducing stress and fostering connections. And this is absolutely an ingredient you will find in a traditional Mediterranean diet.
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