The Mediterranean diet plan is a combination of the traditional cooking styles of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea -- from Spain to the Middle East. An increasing number of researchers continue to demonstrate that eating a diet rich in plant foods and "good" fats protects against cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease. How to Follow a Mediterranean-Style Diet Did you know that there are foods that allow you to have a full plate and still reap many health benefits? If you want to lose/maintain weight, prevent diabetes, improve your heart's health, or reduce your stress, and not starve to make all this possible - the Mediterranean diet is undoubtedly the excellent choice for you. A plethora of studies has revealed the ability of this unique diet to boost longevity, help prevent cancer, reduce the chance of diabetes development, reduce stress levels and relax, and reduce the possibility of suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Surprisingly, it does not take a large pocket to follow the diet compared to other diets. According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the United States, claiming nearly a million lives each year. The American Cancer Society asserts that many lives have been lost to cancer by poor nutrition and an unhealthy lifestyle. The Mediterranean Diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, peas, and beans (legumes) and grains. It also contains moderate amounts of chicken and fish. There is little red meat and most fat is unsaturated and comes from olive oil and nuts. Having a small amount of red wine has been shown to increase the health benefits.