![\"mediterranean\"](\"https:\/\/www.dietsinreview.com\/diet_column\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/09\/mediterranean-cruise.jpg\" "\\"mediterranean\\"")
<\/p>\nGreece is smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean region that is famous for its healthy diet. Cuisine rich in omega 3s, fresh fruit and vegetables is all about supporting optimal heart health. But now its citizens are ironically dealing with increased cases of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. That’s because, like the U.S., they are also dealing with the unhealthy creep of soda machines and fast food restaurants in their neighborhoods.<\/p>\n
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Here’s an interesting and curious predicament: Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco have actually asked UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) to designate their diet as an \u201cintangible piece of cultural heritage.\u201d They are actually worried that their dietary heritage<\/a> could be near extinction!<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a place where you\u2019d see people who lived to 100, where people were all fit and trim,\u201d Dr. Stagourakis said. \u201cNow you see kids whose longevity is less than their parents\u2019. That\u2019s really scaring people.\u201d<\/p>\n In Greece, three-quarters of the adult population is overweight or obese, the worst rate in Europe \u201cby far,\u201d according to the United Nations. Here’s more on the issue from The New York Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Greece is smack dab in the middle of the Mediterranean region that is famous for its healthy diet. Cuisine rich in omega 3s, fresh fruit and vegetables is all about supporting optimal heart health. But now its citizens are ironically … Continue reading