Mediterranean diet

The traditional mediterranean diet or Med diet is a healthy, balanced diet based on foods commonly eaten in the Mediterranean. It aims to improve overall health including reducing chronic illness and increasing lifespan.

Theory
The main foods eaten in the Mediterranean diet are:
 * plant foods, including:
 * fruits
 * vegetables, including potatoes
 * whole grains
 * nuts and seeds
 * legumes/beans
 * Olive oil as the main source of fat.

Less commonly eaten foods are:
 * Low to moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt are eaten
 * Fish and poultry are eaten a few times a week only, in low to moderate amounts.
 * Added sugars or honey may only be eaten a few times each week.
 * Wine is consumed in low to moderate amounts, usually with meals.

Red meat is either avoided or rarely eaten, and kept to small amounts.

Foods should be minimally processed, seasonally fresh, and ideally grown locally.

Potential benefits in ME/CFS patients include reducing low-grade inflammation which may reduce some ME/CFS symptoms, and reducing oxidative stress levels due to the levels of antioxidant foods it includes.

Evidence
A Mediterranean diet is often eaten to improve cardiovascular or heart health, and has significant evidence supporting this.

Effects on ME/CFS are largely unknown. Some ME/CFS patients will have intolerances to some foods plus the wine included in the Mediterranean diet.

Costs and availability
Widely available and relatively inexpensive.

Learn more

 * What is the Mediterranean Diet? - American Heart Association
 * A practical guide to the Mediterranean diet - Harvard Health
 * Mediterranean diet - Cleveland Clinic