12 - The Mediterranean Diet and the Contribution and Role of Alcohol

Abstract

This chapter describes the Mediterranean diet and the role and contribution of alcohol. Mediterranean diet refers to traditional dietary patterns found in areas of the Mediterranean. This type of diet provides evidence about the benefits of a Mediterranean dietary pattern on overall mortality and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in southern European countries. Moderate wine consumption is a habit associated with both traditional and current Mediterranean type dietary patterns. Moderate amounts of alcohol clearly reduce the risk of CHD. Although the results of epidemiological studies are not conclusive, incidence rates and mortality from CHD are lower in countries where wine is the alcoholic beverage of preference. Besides the protective effects of alcohol at moderate doses, wine contains phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Wine is usually consumed with meals in European Mediterranean countries—this implies that an extra source of antioxidants besides those ingested with the Mediterranean diet. In the Mediterranean lifestyle, wine is taken with savored meals shared with family and friends, and a rest is taken after the meal to aid digestion. These lifestyle habits act as a social cohesion factor contributing to the avoidance of psychosocial stress which is known to be a risk factor for CHD development.