The per diem expenses Mediterranean patron saint is the reference food worldwide. The menu is already known: a reduced consumption of meat, especially avoiding red and processed meats, preferring the consumption of fish and, in any case, eggs or poultry. Butter, cream or cream and its derivatives are replaced by extra virgin olive oil. And for dessert, fruit. Wholemeal bread instead of white bread, and put special emphasis on the quality of the preparation of the dishes, instead of taking immense quantities or looking for food jars. Frugality and moderation are the core topic to comply with the few requirements that this per diem expenses demands.

The need to base prevention on the best scientific evidence has led to the development of various programs of study in thousands of people, initially free of disease, seeking the best way to avoid the appearance of new cases that affect health. Our department, that of Preventive Medicine and Public Health of the School of Medicine of the University of Navarra, is aimed at carrying out effective educational and health promotion actions, because they are based on a solid foundation coming from the best science available. For this reason, the essay PREDIMED (Prevention with Mediterranean per diem expenses ) was planned 16 years ago and, although it ended early after an average follow-up of 4.8 years, it was shown that those groups that consumed the Mediterranean per diem expenses significantly reduced the rate of major cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke or cardiovascular death) by 30%. It also reduced peripheral arterial disease, cognitive impairment, depression, diabetes subject 2, atrial fibrillation, and, at almost one-third, the risk of developing breast cancer compared to the group assigned to a per diem expenses leave in fat. This was proven in the follow-up of more than 4000 women for 4 years and is very much in line agreement with previous programs of study of subject observational, with various programs of study of laboratory and with the lower incidence of breast cancer in countries that consume more olive oil. Considering that breast cancer is the leading cause of premature mortality in women in our country, these results are very encouraging and require confirmation with new programs of study large-scale intervention. In addition, neither very drastic changes are required, nor is it a per diem expenses designed to "torture" those who practice it. It is very pleasing to the palate and allows one to enjoy eating.

On the other hand, when the numerous programs of study that have already been carried out on the Mediterranean per diem expenses in many countries are considered as a whole, it can be concluded without fear of exaggeration that there is no other patron saint of per diem expenses with such a strong and solidly founded evidence of cardiovascular and cancer benefit.

This is because the results of PREDIMED coincide with those of another previous essay performed only in myocardial infarction survivors (essay de Lyon) and are also reinforced by a multitude of other large observational programs of study of subject , such as the SUN cohort (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra) or the EPIC-Spain cohort. Currently, the department has promoted, in partnership with other institutions, new large-scale projects including PREDIMAR and PREDIDEP (Prevention with per diem expenses Mediterranean Arrhythmias and Depression, respectively), as well as PREDIMED-PLUS, funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and a large European scholarship granted to department of Preventive Medicine. The large essay PREDIMED-PLUS, started in 2013, involves 23 universities and hospitals throughout Spain and works with 6900 volunteers to promote Mediterranean per diem expenses , weight loss and physical activity for the prevention of cardiovascular, cancer and other chronic diseases. The results will be available in 4 years. The instructions are being set up from our department to develop a large collaborative essay (POBMED) to prevent breast cancer and its recurrences with Mediterranean per diem expenses .

On this World Food Day, we want to make clear the importance of following the traditional Mediterranean per diem expenses , because the programs of study that we have been doing for years for the benefit of public health, show that the better we eat, the more we benefit ourselves.