What aspects of the Mediterranean and Asian diets make them healthy?

There are so many! First and foremost, traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets are rich in plant-foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, beans and nuts. These foods are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and folate. They also contain other powerful health-giving compounds such as antioxidants, phytochemicals and dietary fiber. These compounds have all shown remarkable potential for reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, slowing the aging process, boosting immune function, and improving overall wellbeing. High plant-food intake has also been shown to lower potentially harmful LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Fish and seafood are also a staple part of traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets. Fish is a great source of protein and is very low in saturated fat. And varieties such as salmon, anchovies, tuna, mackerel and sardines contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This special type of fat has been shown to ...  more