abstract KEYWORDS: Mediterranean diet, Extra virgin olive oil, Sustainability, Lifestyle, Intangible Cultural Heritage The Mcditcrranean Diet (MD), a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, is characterised by a high intake of extra virgin olive oíl (EVOO), fruit, vegetables, cereals, legumes, and nuts, and moderate amounts of fish, meat, cggs, and wine. Thc MD is not, however, only a pattern of eating habits which presents benefits from an epidemiowgi.cal and public hcalth point of ,�ew. It also constitutes a lifestyle and cultural heritage that contributes to the preservation of territory, the promotion of local production, and the concornitant augmcntation of environmental sustainability. From the Seven Countries Study to the PREDIMED, the MD has been shown to play a protective role against several pathologies including cardiovascu/,ar and neurodcgenerative diseases, dcmentias, breast cancer, and obesity. In addition, scientific evidence has identified EVOO as the main too! in conveying the benefits of thc MD, as wcll a being a key element of its gastronomies. ABBREVIATIONS: EVOO: Extra Virgin Olive Oil CIHEAM: Centro Internacional de Altos Estudios Agronómicos Mediterráneos / lnternational Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies MD: Mediterranean Diet USA: United States of Arnerica FAO: Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations IFMED: lnternational Foundation of the Mediterranean Diet PREDIMED: PREvención con Dieta MEDiterránea (Prevention with Mediterranean Dict) UNESCO: United ations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
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