What are the health benefits of eating a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables?

Eating a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables has been associated with a variety of health benefits. The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional dietary patterns of people who live in the countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, such as Greece and Italy. It emphasizes consuming plant-based foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, while limiting processed foods, added sugars, and red meat.

Research has shown that following a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables may help reduce the risk of several chronic diseases. For instance, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish, and low in red meat and dairy, can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke by up to 30%. The diet has also been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, cognitive decline, and depression.

One of the reasons that a Mediterranean-style diet that is rich in vegetables is beneficial to health is that it provides the body with a variety of essential nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Vegetables, in particular, are packed with nutrients that are important for maintaining good health, such as vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and potassium. Additionally, vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and inflammation, two processes that are linked to chronic diseases.