According an investigation made by MedEatResearch, Center for Social Research on Mediterranean diet of University of Naples SuorOrsolaBenincasa, Mediterranean diet adds years to life and most importantly life to the years. Since 2012 the Center for Social Research has been investigating on longevity rates referred to the customs and traditions of Cilento population, where there’s an army of hundred-year-old.
Italy is among the top 50 healthiest countries out of a total of 163. Life expectancy at birth is estimated to be 80,6 years for men and 85,1 for women. Italy is the 4th country in the European rankings for both genders. What contributes to this record is, among other things, the Mediterranean diet, which – if followed properly – helps preventing neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and obesity. For us Italians it’s not a real diet, it’s our tradition, our food.A simple recipe: the daily consumption of seasonal fruit and vegetables, legumes and cereals, bluefish, pasta, bread, eggs and olive oil. A prudent consumption of dairy products and wine with white meat and not much red one are the key points in our diet. A little dessert is also allowed sometimes, without feeling guilty. And movement, fresh air, the pleasure of the table and the sake of eating in good company.
Since June 1997Cilento was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves: a protected area which safeguards biodiversity and promotes compatible development. Since 1998 it’s also a World Heritage Site.
“The survey revealed that, compared to the rest of Italy, in Cilento you live longer and healthier, even without being privileged. Longevity here is a common good. In the sixties the average life expectancy already reached the standard levels that the rest of Italy is expected to reach by 2025.”
This is what turned some villages of the province of Salerno in international case studies: Paestum, Acciaroli, Pollica, Pioppi, Agnone, San Mauro, Velia andCastellabate.
Reducing the Mediterranean diet to a nutrition label would be wrong because it’s not enough to calculate proteins and carbohydrates, it takes a healthy environment and human rhythms, too.
A healthy and delicious recipe to nourish the future.
And now don’t go grab a carrot to eat on-the-fly.
