The tenth anniversary as a UNESCO world cultural heritage: an unmissable opportunity to get back to the cultural roots of the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet was recognized by UNESCO in 2010 as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

• The Mediterranean diet encompasses skills, knowledge, processing, cooking, and the sharing of food.
• Current nutrition research often overlooks the cultural and social dimensions of food consumption.
• Nutritional epidemiology typically focuses on the quantity of food rather than the quality and context of consumption.
• This limited approach may neglect crucial elements that impact health and well-being.
• Traditional diets, like the Mediterranean diet, face threats from the global industrial food system.
• Preserving the Mediterranean heritage requires a comprehensive understanding of its complex cultural and nutritional aspects.

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