Cancer Mediterranean diet against

Aromatic herbs and spices are an important part of human nutrition and have a place in all the cultures of the world. The literature describes how they impart flavour and reduce the need for salt and fatty condiments, improve digestion, and provide the organism with bioactive compounds that could prevent the appearance of physiological and metabolic alterations. An example of this would be the Mediterranean Diet. Mediterranean diets do include considerable amounts of oregano, rosemary, basil, and thyme, among other herbs, which may help to explain some of the protective effects against some chronic diseases such as heart disease or cancer, observed in populations following more traditional Mediterranean diets (Tapsell etal. 2006). 

The health benefits of the traditional Mediterranean diet are extensively documented [3,4] and include protective effects against cardiovascular diseases [5-11], diabetes [12,13], rheumatoid arthritis [14], intestinal diseases [15], and several types of cancers [16-18]. Some constituents of wine and olive oil (particularly polyphenols) play a key role in most of such healthy effects. 

Epidemiological studies in the Mediterranean region evidenced that a diet rich in grain, legumes, fruits and vegetables, wine and olive oil has beneficial effects on human health. In fact, these foods are rich in antioxidant vitamins, flavonoids and polyphenols that play an important role in prevention against cancer and coronary heart disease. 

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