Do not harbour the hope that like the Atkins or the South beach diet, this kind of diet will have a recent history. Although its prominence is recent its existence is not! The diet has been there for as long as civilisation in the Mediterranean region. Mediterranean people follow it religiously and effortlessly. Still, the traditional diets from the people living in the 1960's in countries like Greece, and Southern Italy have been studied extensively over the past several years.
For millions of people living around the Mediterranean region the diet is a lifestyle. They are not forced to follow it, as it is their way of life. It is similar to day to day habit.
Recent times has revolutionised the way this diet is discussed in social and scientific circles. He numerous health benefits attached to it have been an enigma for scientists round the globe. This is due to the notably low incidence of chronic diseases and high life-expectancy rates attributed to these populations who ate traditional Mediterranean diet foods. If it becomes a subject in the future, I will surely not be surprised!