02549nam a2200277   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260003800043653003200081653002200113653002000135653001700155653003400172653002400206653002300230653001400253653001400267653002600281653002600307100001700333700002100350700001400371245004000385520179900425020004702224       2016                            d  bSpringer International Publishing10aChemical compound structure10aGeographical area10aHealth benefits10aHealth risks10aIntangible cultural heritages10aMediterranean areas10aMediterranean diet10aNutrition10aOlive oil10aScientific literature10aVegetables and fruits1 aA.M. Delgado1 aM.D. Vaz Almeida1 aS. Parisi00aChemistry of the mediterranean diet3 aHave you ever wondered what makes the Mediterranean diet so healthy? Do you enjoy olives, tomatoes, Chouriço and Mozzarella, basil, rosemary and oregano, grapes, figs, and dates; and would you like to learn more about the substances they contain? Then this book is for you! The Mediterranean diet, designated as an  Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity , has a reputation of being particularly beneficial to your health and for reducing the risk of diseases like cardiovascular disorders. Read this book to find out which chemical compounds contribute to these health benefits. Typical ingredients of the Mediterranean diet include olive oils, fresh and dried vegetables and fruits, cereals, moderate amounts of fish, dairy and meat, and various condiments and spices, typically accompanied by wine and infusions. The book will introduce you to the most typical ingredients, providing information about their use in Mediterranean cuisine and explaining more about the healthy substances they contain - from their chemistry to their occurrence in the foods and the resulting intake. Summarizing important facts and data from available scientific literature, this book even gives recommendations for guidelines to a healthy diet - guidelines that are becoming more and more important. In recent years, it has been observed that nutritional habits in the geographical area have started to deviate further and further away from the typical Mediterranean nutritional pattern, representing an alarming trend that this book also critically addresses, since the WHO has reported increases in obesity and malnutrition in the Mediterranean area. Illustrations of important chemical compound structures, as well as appetizing photos of select ingredients for Mediterranean dishes, accompany the text.  a9783319293707 (ISBN); 9783319293684 (ISBN)