"The Mediterranean diet has been associated with longevity, as well as better cardiovascular health, reduced cancer risk and better cognitive function". Antonia Trichopoulou, coordinator of the EPIC-elderly, participated in the PREDIMED Symposium hosted at the School of Medicine of the Universidad de Navarra.

The expert highlighted how the Mediterranean diet effects can be generalized to people residing in areas beyond the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, "I would suggest that Mediterranean peoples should not abandon their traditional diet and people in the other places around the world should seriously consider it as a healthy alternative".

Antonioa Trichopolou, member of the Hellenic Health Foundation, said that besides the several variants of the Mediterranean diet, it could be defined as the "dietary pattern that prevailed in the olive growing areas of the Mediterranean region in the late 1950s and early 60s". "Its common components are high monounsaturated/saturated fat ratio; moderate levels of wine consumption; high consumption of vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains; moderate consumption of milk and dairy products, mostly in the form of cheese; low consumption of meat and meat products and higher fish consumptions as a function of proximity to the sea".

During the Symposium, an expert from Harvard University, Frank Hu, talked about the recently published 2015 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report. "The committee found that healthy dietary patterns are associated with better environmental outcomes, including land, water and resource use". Therefore, "we recommend a shift of current US diet from animal-based dietary patterns to more plant-based dietary patterns for the human health and the health of the planet".  

Besides this, he explained how people are becoming more interested in healthy foods and environmental sustainability. "However, people are also confused because of conflicting information on diet and health and because of an existing food environment that is generally unhealthy". Therefore, "we recommend individual behavioral changes to improve diet and lifestyle, such as reducing consumption of sugary beverages and fast food, as well as policy changes to improve the overall food environment to make healthy foods more accessible, affordable, and normative".