The diet is so named because it is used by the european geographical population surrounding the Mediterranean, namely Spain, Albania, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece and Cyprus.
According to statistics made in these countries suggests that this type of diet leads to low rates of degenerative diseases.
Years of research have shown that the Mediterranean diet is considered the most healthful eating pattern since it protects against heart attacks, cancer (eg colorectal cancer), obesity, etc.
Modern nutrition now considers the Mediterranean diet as a way of life that gives longevity and good health.
During the last couple of years many studies have been made on the Mediterranean diet due to its high popularity.
The diet of the modern society, especially the ones living in big cities, escapes slowly from the Mediterranean model which is characterized by consumption, often overused, of high quantities of food containing too much fat and little fiber.