Ancient Greek doctors invented the renowned Mediterranean diet as Hippocratic physicians prescribed healthy diets and used rich flavors in order to treat their patients, a study from the University of Exeter revealed.
Experts at the University of Exeter studied texts of ancient Greek doctors and found that rich flavors could improve the food's nutritional potency, while one of them, Galen of Pergamon prescribed recipes containing garlic and onions to patients.
According to the same study, the work of ancient Greek doctors laid the principles of modern Mediterranean cooking, considered among the world's healthiest.
Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato, wrote about the importance of food on health, while Hippocrates said "Let food be medicine and medicine food."
As professor John Wilkins, an expert in Greek culture, at the University of Exeter explained to the press "The ancient diet resembles the modern Mediterranean diet but without oranges, lemons, and tomatoes of course. That diet is largely based on regional plants, which the doctors preferred over imported luxuries."
"Also, the ancient Mediterranean diet did not sustain a large number of animals so meat was limited, as it is in the Mediterranean diet. The flavor-rich food made cereals palatable." concluded Professor Wilkins whose study is published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology".
Furthermore, Wilkins describes that Galen's writings included recipes for pancakes, bread, and cakes that should be eaten daily.
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