Index IntroductionOrigins of the Mediterranean dietThe pros and cons of the Mediterranean dietConclusionReferencesIntroductionThe Mediterranean diet is not the most popular but has recently been caught at the center of a controversy. This diet is quite old but has somehow managed to maintain its relevance in today's world, but the claims that this diet makes have started to be debunked. Even though the claims are not always true, there are still overall health benefits that come from this diet. However, precautions, including dairy consumption and overeating, appear to outweigh the benefits. The Mediterranean Diet can be both positive and negative. This diet can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes and keep your body healthy for a longer period of time. However, the negative effects can cause many more problems with overall heart health and weight. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Origins of the Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet originated in the 1950s and is heavily influenced by the common eating habits of Greece and Italy. Dr. Ancel Keys introduced this diet and began explaining its benefits in the 1960s, but it only became popular in the 1990s (2019). It has become popular for its claim to have heart health benefits and the lifestyle benefits advertised along with this diet. Dr. Ancel Keys was a professor of physiology at the University of Minnesota, but he was always studying and researching nutrition. Another reason this diet has become so popular is that there is no single definition. It's pretty lenient on what you eat and how much you eat. This diet is normally very high in carbohydrates such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts and more. Additionally, it is typically high in fish and dairy consumption. The Pros and Cons of the Mediterranean Diet Usually, diets become popular for their ability to help people lose weight. Although it is part of the Mediterranean diet, it is very small. This has become popular for its claims to help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This has been shown to help due to the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet (Encyclopedia 2019). Another popular reason to start this diet is because there are no heavy food restrictions, so you can modify your diet to fit your dietary needs. While there are many benefits included in this diet, the negatives seem to outweigh the positives. First, this diet is extremely high in carbohydrates. In the Mediterranean diet food pyramid, the largest section is made up of all carbohydrates, and given the lack of restrictions and phrases like "low to moderate" or "often", it is very likely that you will accidentally overeat, causing a weight gain. Another important part of this diet is dairy products. A few years ago we wouldn't have given it much thought, but recently dairy has been in the spotlight. There have been many studies done that show that dairy products are very harmful. Dairy products are high in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol which increase the risk of heart disease, contradicting what the Mediterranean diet claims. With regular consumption of dairy products, the Mediterranean diet suggests daily consumption, increases the risk of lung, breast and ovarian cancer (Hyman 2017). Just like any other healthy diet, it is time-consuming and not convenient for those who work a full-time job or have children, etc. Finally, the main source of meat in this diet is fish. Now, you might think that actually, 2018.