Is Sardinian Diet the Fountain of Youth?
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Those who love rich red wines, extra virgin olive oil, cheese and bread should rejoice, as the Sardinian diet, which is believed to contribute to living a longer, healthier life, is the latest in a new diet trend to attract the attention of the US diet conscious crowd.
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, and is situated 120 miles west of the Italian peninsula, just south of the French island of Corsica. Its coastline offers some of Europe’s most spectacular scenery, while its rugged, mountainous interior is pocked with caves and is the home of some of the continent's oldest stone constructions, known as nuraghi, which are often surrounded by large flocks of sheep which feed on pungent wild herbs and produce the milk for the excellent local pecorino cheese.
The various Sardinian dialects have unknown roots, have an ancient written tradition, and are incomprehensible to other Italians. The summer heat is oppressive, but does not scare away the hordes of tourists which swarm to its pristine beaches. The winter winds are some of the worst in the Mediterranean region and sweep across the sparsely populated island.
Because of its history, despite the extensive coastline the traditional Sardinian diet does not include fish, but abounds in bread and cheese, and it is known as the isola dei centenari (island of the 100-year-old people).
Though little known by most consumers, some of the most popular Sardinian wines, such as the aromatic white Vermentino di Sardegna, or the red Cannonau and Monica di Sardegna, are available at quality restaurants and wine bars in the Unites States, such as La Ciccia, A16, or Ottimista in San Francisco, California.
According to National Geographic magazine journalist, Dan Buettner, author of the book, 'The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest
Consumption of red meats in Sardinia is usually limited to once a week only, and the protein in the diet comes from the zesty sheep cheese called pecorino sardo, which is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, the same as those found in fish, especially salmon.
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