Mediterranean diet and spirituality/religion: eating with meaning.
Ligia J Dominguez, Nicola Veronese, Francesco Saverio Ragusa, Valentina Petralia, Stefano Ciriminna, Giovanna Di Bella, Piero Schirò, Shaun Sabico, Nasser M Al-Daghri, Mario Barbagallo
Author Information
Ligia J Dominguez: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Kore University of Enna, Piazza Dell'Università, 94100, Enna, Italy. ligia.dominguez@unikore.it.
Nicola Veronese: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Francesco Saverio Ragusa: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Valentina Petralia: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Stefano Ciriminna: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Giovanna Di Bella: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Piero Schirò: Primary Care Department, Provincial Health Authority (ASP) of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
Shaun Sabico: Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Nasser M Al-Daghri: Chair for Biomarkers of Chronic Diseases, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mario Barbagallo: Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
The interest in the Mediterranean diet has grown considerably due to its potential health benefits on the prevention of diverse age-related chronic diseases and its association with longevity. This dietary pattern, considered among the healthiest in the world, is not simply a combination of healthy foods but goes further in its historical and cultural roots. Mediterranean diet is not intrinsically tied to any specific religion or spiritual system, but its cultural and geographical context has influenced the dietary practices of its inhabitants, encompassing the history of Western civilization and of the three Monotheistic religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. These religions may have some impact on dietary choices due to religious customs and practices. In 2010 the Mediterranean diet was inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting it as a social and cultural expression of the different food cultures of the Mediterranean region and indicating that the importance of this dietary and lifestyle pattern lies not only in its specific foods and nutrients, but in the way in which its characteristic foods are produced, cooked, and eaten. In this narrative review we will discuss the possible connections between the main religions originated in the Mediterranean basin and their influence on the composition of the Mediterranean diet, and the links between spirituality/religion and this dietary pattern. This traditional model can represent a form of conscious healthy eating and lifestyle in contrast to the unhealthy Western lifestyle and ultra-processed food consumption widespread throughout the world.
