By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern 

The Mediterranean diet is one that has been receiving a lot of attention lately. This diet that focuses mainly on healthy fats, lots of vegetables, animal proteins and whole grains has been touted as one that provides numerous health benefits, especially heart health benefits.

Recently touted for its own ability to grow the “Med Diet in the desert” Arizona agriculture’s foundational farm and ranch commodities comprise the entire Mediterranean Diet food pyramid. As a result, if we stick to the basics, we can eat a healthy diet.

The Proof

A recent study found that women who closely adhered to the Mediterranean diet were 24% less likely to develop heart disease than those who only loosely followed the diet. Additionally, those who closely adhere to the diet also had a 23% less risk of early death than those who did not follow the diet as closely.

Researchers noted that these results closely resemble those of men who follow the Mediterranean diet. Men who strictly follow the diet have a 22% lower risk of heart disease and a 23% lower risk of early death compared to those who don’t follow the diet.

Our Story

A little fun fact about the Mediterranean diet is that Arizona agriculture grows and produces the entire diet! From a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to grains to even fish, it is pretty easy to get locally-produced foods to help you stick to your diet goals!   

Arizona Farm Bureau’s member benefit categories include a “health care category.” Our Life Line Screening benefit helps our members assess the health of their hearts.

Looking for more articles about the Mediterranean diet, or about health in general? Check out the Fill Your Plate blog!