The #1 Best Diet for 2021 According to Experts

by Mura Dominko for the “Eat This, Not That” e-zine 

We're only short time into 2021, but we already have the official best diet to follow in the year ahead. A panel of experts voted on diets with best health and weight loss outcomes. For the fourth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet has been awarded the #1 spot among the best diets to follow for optimal health by the U.S. News & World Report.

While fad diets come and go, there's a consensus among the scientific community about what kinds of foods are most beneficial for our longevity and wellness. To that end, the publication consulted a panel of experts in the areas of heart disease and diabetes, nutrition, diet, food psychology, and obesity who reviewed the latest research to come up with the best diet currently known to man. 

The most highly rated diets ended up being ones that advocate a level of flexibility and emphasize meals filled with fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. While the Mediterranean diet came in first due to its sensibility and diversity, it was followed by the DASH and flexitarian diets, both of which similarly prioritize plant-based proteins and whole foods and discourage the consumption of processed foods.

According to Angela Haupt, managing editor of health at U.S. News & World Report, each diet was rated on several criteria, including how easy it is to follow, how likely it is to lead to long-term weight loss, how safe and healthy it is, and how likely it is to help with chronic illnesses.

The Mediterranean diet received an almost perfect score in the health category, but its moderate score in the weight loss category shows that this isn't a crash diet meant for extreme weight loss. Instead, the diet's main goal is to slowly shed pounds and keep the weight off long-term while also avoiding chronic diseases.
"It's generally accepted that the folks in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea live longer and suffer less than most Americans from cancer and cardiovascular ailments," said the report.

90% of This Fruit Contains Harmful Toxins, New Report Finds 
by Amanda McDonald for the “Eat This, Not That” e-zine

Almost 90% of all citrus fruits contain toxins, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Scientists tested 25 different kinds, and most had traces of a dangerous fungicide. The consumer advocacy group tested 25 samples of non-organic grapefruits, lemons, mandarins, and oranges for pesticide residues used to extend shelf life. Imazalil and thiabendazole, two hormone-disrupting fungicides, were found on almost 90% of the samples.

Imazalil may cause cancer, as well as harm both the endocrine and reproductive systems. The highest levels of this fungicide were detected on the clementines, grapefruit, and oranges.

"The average level of imazalil was about 20 times higher than what EWG scientists would recommend is a safe level for children to protect against increased cancer risk," EWG toxicologist Alexis Temkin, Ph.D., tells Eat This, Not That!. "Imazalil is a fungicide that is classified by the EPA as a likely human carcinogen. It can also change hormone levels in animal studies."

EWG also tested two organic oranges and one grapefruit, but none showed any detectable signs of fungicides. According to Temkin, organic citrus fruits are the best choice to reduce your exposure to fungicides. "Additionally," she says, "choosing domestically produced citrus may have lower levels of fungicides than imported samples."

At the end of the day, Temkin still recommends that you and your loved ones always eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Simply opt for the latter if you have the choice.