Food Processing and the Mediterranean Diet.

Abstract in brief

• The review highlights that food processing methods, such as preparation and cooking, can significantly impact the nutrient content and health benefits of key Mediterranean diet foods like olives, olive oil, vegetables, and nuts, which are known to protect against chronic inflammation and diseases.
• It also discusses how meat, a food group typically consumed in lower amounts in the Mediterranean diet, can have its pro-inflammatory effects reduced through specific culinary techniques used in Mediterranean cuisine.
• The authors suggest that more attention should be paid to how food processing influences the health-promoting qualities of Mediterranean diet foods when making dietary recommendations and assessing their overall health benefits.]