Kerri WaldronSophie Wessex, the Duchess of Edinburgh, reportedly swears by one of the world’s healthiest diets, which has kept her in top shape for years.
The Duchess, celebrating her 60th birthday today, has been lauded for stepping up her royal engagements following the cancer diagnoses of King Charles and Kate Middleton.
Sophie herself often stuns with her ageless looks and reports suggest one factor behind them could be the Mediterranean diet.
Jeremiah Daniel, a personal trainer and CEO at Moonlight Reviews, told the Express: “The Countess of Wessex has a holistic approach to maintaining physical and mental well-being, incorporating a variety of healthy lifestyle habits into her daily routine.
“In terms of diet, the Countess is said to follow the Mediterranean diet with no strict rules about food intake and instead emphasises the importance of balance and overall well-being.”
Daniel pointed out that Sophie’s diet is rich in “predominantly natural, unprocessed foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, fish, olive oil, and moderate amounts of red wine”.
While it’s common knowledge that regular alcohol consumption isn’t ideal for health, authorities like the NHS have acknowledged the perks of the Mediterranean Diet, reports Surrey Live.
What is the Mediterranean Diet?
The diet follows eating habits of those living in Mediterranean countries, namely Spain, Italy, Greece and France. This heart-friendly diet is stacked with plant-based goodies: think succulent fruits, lush veggies, hearty wholegrains, and a medley of nuts, seeds, pulses such as beans, chickpeas, and lentils.
According to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust: “The diet includes moderate amounts of lean proteins like fish and chicken and low-fat dairy foods. Olive oil is used to replace other oils and fats in the diet.”
How good is the Mediterranean diet for you?
The NHS touts some pretty impressive benefits such as tipping the scales in your favour, keeping that blood pressure in check, and even helping you catch some quality sleep.
One study involving a whopping 60,000 people suggested the Mediterranean diet could lower your odds of developing dementia.
Heart UK pitches in too, highlighting people living in the Mediterranean countries appear less likely to be hit by heart disease compared to Brits thanks to the diet. Cutting down on cholesterol levels could be another feather in its cap, especially for those carrying extra pounds, as a 2020 study found.
Harvard researchers have also hinted that this diet could add years to your life. And it seems the diet’s reputation for bolstering health has earned it the top spot on the global diet leaderboard, according to US News.
What is NHS advice?
The NHS agree with the Mediterranean Diet’s health benefits but say to pair it with regular exercise, something the Duchess of Edinburgh would agree on.
In a 2023 interview with the Express, Jeremiah remarked: “In terms of exercise, the Countess is said to have a regular workout regime comprising yoga, running, Pilates, weight training, and tennis. She also regularly undertakes cardiovascular workouts and enjoys playing tennis.”
He added that Sophie isn’t alone in her lifestyle choices, noting that celebrities such as John Goodman, Selena Gomez, Penelope Cruz, and Cameron Diaz, as well as fitness influencer Kayla Itsines, are all reported by Business Insider to follow the same popular diet programme.
Source: bing.com
