You may have heard of the Mediterranean diet, but you might not be familiar with the details of the plan. Generally, this “diet” is not a diet in the traditional sense of the word, since it doesn’t involve caloric restrictions. Instead, it focuses on the cuisine of countries along the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece and Italy. Typically, these cultures do not consume a lot of meat, dairy or saturated fat, choosing instead to favor whole grains, fresh produce, fish and olive oil.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the key aspects of the Mediterranean diet include regular exercise, plant-based foods, substituting herbs for salt and moderate alcohol consumption. Fish and seafood are also a regular part of the Mediterranean diet, being eaten two to three times weekly. Physicians also recommend eating nuts and drinking red wine moderately as part of the diet.

Since the Mediterranean diet is low in saturated fat and sodium, it has been linked to heart health. The foods that are included in the diet have also been connected with reduced risk of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine suggested that the foods eaten in Mediterranean cuisine may actually work together to promote health and ward off disease.

Image c/o: Fourat