JERUSALEM POST – The Mediterranean diet has been praised by clinical dietitians around the world as being the most healthful of all.
But now, a modified Mediterranean diet called the “Green Mediterranean/high polyphenols diet” has been found to be twice as good.
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found mostly in fruits like grapes, apples, pears, cherries and berries along with vegetables, cereals and beverages such as coffee and green tea.
Protection against oxidative stress
Polyphenols are reducing agents, and together with other dietary reducing agents including vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids (also known as antioxidants), they protect the body’s tissues against oxidative stress and associated pathologies such as cancers, coronary heart disease and inflammation.
But one must not exaggerate, as animal studies show that very high-dose polyphenol supplements could cause an imbalance in thyroid levels, kidney damage and tumors, and in humans, they could raise the risk of stroke and premature death.
The DIRECT-PLUS trial research team was the first to introduce the concept of the green-Mediterranean, high polyphenols diet.
This modified Mediterranean diet is distinct from the traditional Mediterranean diet because of its more abundant dietary polyphenols and lower amounts of red or processed meat.
On top of a daily intake of walnuts (28 grams), the green-Mediterranean dieters consumed three or four cups of green tea …
