Why Do They Call It the Mediterranean Diet?

January 14, 2026 •

3 min read

The Mediterranean diet is based on the traditional eating patterns found in countries like Greece and Southern Italy during the mid-20th century. Its name originates not from a marketing gimmick, but from the groundbreaking scientific work of American biologist Ancel Keys, who studied the remarkable health and longevity of these populations.

Quick Summary

The term for this celebrated dietary pattern was coined by Ancel Keys following his landmark mid-20th century research into the diets of people residing near the Mediterranean Sea, who exhibited exceptional heart health, and is based on their traditional, plant-rich eating habits.

Key Points

Scientific Origin: The term was coined by American scientist Ancel Keys after his Seven Countries Study observed the eating habits and health outcomes of Mediterranean populations in the 1950s and 60s.
Geographical Inspiration: The diet is named after the Mediterranean region because it emulates the traditional plant-rich, healthy-fat eating patterns found there.
Holistic Lifestyle: The name also reflects the Greek origin of the word 'diet' (díaita), which means 'way of living,' encompassing not just food but also social meals and physical activity.
Health Observations: The name is linked to Keys' findings that people in Mediterranean regions like Crete and Southern Italy had lower rates of heart disease, despite high fat consumption from olive oil.
Cultural Heritage: The name gained further prominence after UNESCO recognized the dietary pattern as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, highlighting its deep cultural roots.
Evolutionary Name: While the traditional diet has evolved and varies by country, the name is a consistent and recognizable term for the core principles that science has shown to be beneficial for health.

From Ancient Roots to Modern Research

The traditional food cultures of the Mediterranean Basin have evolved over millennia. However, the specific dietary pattern that became famous was first publicized in 1975 by American biologist Ancel Keys and his chemist wife, Margaret Keys. Their research, particularly the Seven Countries Study, was pivotal in formalizing the concept and giving it its now-familiar name. The Keys noted the low incidence of cardiovascular disease among people in regions like Crete and Southern Italy, observing their traditional, largely plant-based, and healthy-fat-rich diets.

Ancel Keys and the Seven Countries Study

In the 1950s, Ancel Keys became fascinated by the paradox that some populations, despite consuming a relatively high-fat diet, had significantly lower rates of heart disease than Americans. This led him to organize the Seven Countries Study, an ambitious long-term epidemiological study involving over 12,000 middle-aged men from the U.S., Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia, and Japan. The study meticulously collected data on diet, lifestyle, and health outcomes. Keys' findings, published in 1970, famously correlated high saturated fat intake with higher rates of coronary heart disease, while highlighting the protective effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet observed in Greece and Italy.

The Core Characteristics of the Mediterranean Diet

The dietary pattern that Keys observed was not a single, monolithic set of rules, but a collection of similar, region-specific eating habits united by core principles. These principles emphasized fresh, local, and minimally processed foods. For a detailed list of key elements, refer to {Link: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6466433/}.

The Name's Meaning Beyond Food

The Greek root of the word 'diet' is díaita, meaning 'way of living' or 'lifestyle'. This broader context was part of Keys' original observation. In 2010, UNESCO recognized the Mediterranean diet as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.


Feature	Mediterranean Diet	Typical Western Diet
Primary Fat Source	Extra-virgin olive oil	Saturated fats (butter, margarine)
Plant-based Foods	Abundant (fruits, veggies, whole grains)	Less emphasis; often processed or refined
Meat and Poultry	Limited and moderate	Often the center of the meal
Processed Foods	Minimal	High consumption
Lifestyle Component	Integral (social meals, activity)	Often disconnected from food
Health Focus	Overall wellness, longevity, and prevention	Symptom management and disease treatment

Why the Name Stuck

The name "Mediterranean diet" has endured because it effectively captures the geographical and cultural origin of the dietary pattern Keys studied. It provides an easy-to-understand shorthand for nutritional guidelines. Furthermore, decades of research confirming its health benefits, like reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes, have cemented the name. When we refer to the Mediterranean diet, we honor the historical observations that first uncovered this healthy way of eating, acknowledging its ancient roots and modern adaptations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the term "Mediterranean diet" was coined by American scientists Ancel and Margaret Keys to describe the observed eating patterns of populations in regions like Greece and Southern Italy during their landmark Seven Countries Study. The name stuck because their research linked these traditional diets to exceptional health. By adopting this name, we acknowledge the diet's historical origins and the scientific discovery of its health benefits. The name serves as a tribute to a time-tested and culturally rich way of eating and living. Additional background information can be found on the {Link: Oldways website https://oldwayspt.org/for-professionals/heritage-diet-background/mediterranean-diet-background/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

The term 'Mediterranean diet' was coined by American biologist Ancel Keys and his wife, chemist Margaret Keys, in the mid-1970s after their extensive research into the dietary habits of populations in the Mediterranean region.

The Seven Countries Study was a large epidemiological study led by Ancel Keys in the 1950s and 60s that investigated the link between diet, lifestyle, and heart disease across different countries, including several in the Mediterranean.

Some critiques of Keys' work have pointed to potential issues, such as the fact that some Greek participants were studied during Lent, a time of lower meat and dairy consumption. However, subsequent, more rigorous studies have consistently validated the general health benefits of the Mediterranean eating pattern.

No, there is no single, monolithic version of the Mediterranean diet. The eating habits vary significantly among the different countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea due to cultural, economic, and agricultural differences.

The main components include a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, with olive oil as the primary fat source, moderate fish and wine, and limited consumption of red meat, dairy, and processed foods.

The diet's health benefits are attributed to the combination and synergy of its various components, such as low saturated fat from limited red meat, high antioxidants from plant foods, and healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil.

The word 'diet' comes from the Greek word díaita, meaning 'way of living'. This implies that the Mediterranean diet includes a lifestyle that promotes physical activity and social connections around meals, not just the foods consumed.