An emerging diet, dubbed as the ‘Atlantic diet’, is being hailed as a new alternative to the traditional Mediterranean diet.
A recent study found that those who adhere to the diet had significantly reduced blood pressure, blood sugars, triglycerides – all of which can contribute to chronic health issues
Like the Mediterranean diet, the Atlantic diet also hails from Europe. It also focuses on eating fruit, vegetables, fish and seafood as well as olive oil.
Here’s everything to know about the Atlantic diet.
The Atlantic diet is based on the foods and eating behaviours of people in the northwest of Spain and Portugal. The diet has a heavy emphasis on fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood but also encourages pork, red meat, dairy and legumes.
Like its distant cousin, the Mediterranean diet, the Atlantic iteration has a particular emphasis on home-cooked, locally sourced and minimally seasoned dishes.
The Mediterranean diet is a regimen of eating that is based on the diets of those who live around the Mediterranean. This way of eating has long been heralded as a way to reduce risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Much like the Atlantic regimen, the Mediterranean diet also heavily revolves around fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and legumes.
Whilst the Mediterranean and the Atlantic eating regimens have a lot of similarities, there are also a few differences. Namely the Mediterranean diet typically calls for pasta, barley and quinoa, whereas the Atlantic diet instead prioritises starches like chestnuts, potatoes and bread.
Despite these tiny differences, overall, both diets focus on minimally processed foods and fresh produce.
A number of studies over the last few years have begun assessing the health benefits of the Atlantic diet. Most recently, a study published in the journal JAMA Network Open found that the diet has a range of health benefits.
Mainly, the study identified that participants who adhered to the eating regimen were about 42 per cent less likely to develop coronary heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other serious health issues compared to those who ate a regular diet.
Previous studies conducted at the end of 2021 and 2023 also found similar results from participants eating the diet. It is thought that the combination of seafood, vegetables and legumes are associated with lower levels of C-reactive protein, which is a sign of inflammation in the body.
If you’re not ready to commit to an entirely new way of eating, don’t fret. There are some simple swaps and changes you can make to start incorporating this diet into your everyday life.
The post The new ‘cousin’ to the Mediterranean diet with major health benefits appeared first on The Australian Women's Weekly.
2024-02-21T03:48:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd