The Mediterranean diet has been touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil. It also includes moderate amounts of fish, poultry, and dairy products. The benefits of this diet are numerous, including a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. However, recent studies have shown that adopting the green Mediterranean diet can be even more effective in reducing visceral fat.
Visceral fat is the type of fat that surrounds the organs in the abdominal cavity. This type of fat is particularly dangerous as it has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Traditional Mediterranean diets have been shown to reduce overall body fat, but a recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that adopting a green Mediterranean diet can be even more effective in reducing visceral fat.
The green Mediterranean diet is a variant of the traditional Mediterranean diet that is plant-based and includes more leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and legumes. This diet also includes a reduced intake of meat and dairy products. The study found that participants who followed the green Mediterranean diet for 18 months lost more visceral fat than those who followed a traditional Mediterranean diet or a low-fat diet.
The study also found that the green Mediterranean diet had other health benefits, including a reduction in blood pressure and an improvement in insulin resistance. The researchers believe that the high fiber content of the green Mediterranean diet may be responsible for these benefits. Fiber has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, which can lead to a reduction in visceral fat.
In conclusion, adopting the green Mediterranean diet can be a highly effective way to reduce visceral fat and improve overall health. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, which are all high in fiber and other important nutrients. By reducing the intake of meat and dairy products, individuals can also reduce their intake of saturated fats, which have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. So, if you are looking to improve your health and reduce visceral fat, consider adopting the green Mediterranean diet today.