The Mediterranean Diet: a Sustainable Cultural Intangible Heritage of Humanity

As humanity has striven to develop and thrive over the centuries even during stressful times such as our own, a traditional lifestyle emerged within the context of the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, a basin touching upon three continents. The Mediterranean Diet (MD or MedDiet) has been defined as a cross-sectorial system that refers to heritage, lifestyle, health, culture, society and the preservation of a country’s culinary identity and fingerprint. The network of traditions and symbols linked to the MedDiet led UNESCO to recognize it as an intangible heritage of humanity (The Mediterranean Diet UNESCO, 2010). The Mediterranean Diet also pertains to craftsmanship in connection to the traditional receptacles produced to transport, preserve and in some cases to consume a variety of foods. The path to living a long, healthy and fulfilling life often associated with the peoples of some countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece continues to attract tourists who travel to Mediterranean countries to discover the secrets and delights of their regional cuisines. One of the offshoots of this growing interest in the MedDiet has been agritourism which attracts both natives and foreigners alike who set off to explore those regions and their local specialties. Italy represents a perfect example of the quintessential MD lifestyle, and there can be no doubt that the country’s culture and cuisine are favorably viewed around the globe. Although quite different in many respects, Lebanon is another country whose culture and cuisine are intrinsically linked to the Mediterranean Diet which will inevitably help to restore people’s interest in the country and its traditional oil milling establishments and wineries in addition to its typical cheeses. The MD plays a pivotal role in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations (UNDP, 2015). These goals were implemented by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty and hunger and to promote a more sustainable planet, all key principles of the MD. Given these considerations, social media platforms could be exploited to increase awareness about the health benefits, positive climate impact, and sustainability of the Mediterranean Diet. These and other measures can and should be taken to encourage the adoption of this healthy, planet-friendly diet/lifestyle.