While every region of the world has its own traditional cuisine, perhaps none is as well known, and studied as that of the Mediterranean. Rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, olive oil and fish, it is a diet revered for being low in artery-clogging saturates and transfats, high in fibre and antioxidants and rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fat.
Food habits from the Mediterranean first made headlines in the early 1990s when researchers noted its exceptional nutrient content and health benefits. Almost 20 years later, it is still making waves.
Study findings released earlier this month in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that a Mediterranean-style diet beat out a low-fat diet in terms of controlling diabetes, a disease that is estimated to affect one in five people in the UAE. Researchers randomly assigned either a low-fat diet or Mediterranean-style diet to 215 overweight people who were recently diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. After four years, they found that only 44 per cent of the people eating the Mediterranean food required drug treatment to control their diabetes, compared to 70 per cent in the low-fat group. What's more, the Mediterranean group achieved greater weight loss and a healthier body-mass index overall.
It seems the diet also plays a role in preventing the onset of the disease. Study findings released last year in the British Medical Journal examined the eating habits of over 13,000 Spanish university graduates and found that participants who ate a Mediterranean-style diet had a lower risk of developing diabetes. In fact, people who followed the diet the closest had a staggering 83 per cent reduced risk of developing the disease, compared to people who didn't follow the diet.
A Mediterranean-style diet has also been found to offer protection from cardiovascular disease and cancer. One of the largest studies to date on its health benefits was released in 2003 by Harvard researchers. After analysing the diets of over 22,000 people who live in Greece, it was found that those who closely followed a Mediterranean-style diet tended to live longer and were less likely to die from heart disease and cancer than those who do not.
In the UAE, where rates of obesity and diabetes are some of the highest in the world, it seems we can certainly take a cue from the Mediterranean. Incorporating some of the typical foods into your diet is easier than you may think - especially since most of the staples are common here.
Contrary to most other healthy diets, the Mediterranean diet stands alone in that it doesn't limit fat, instead it promotes the intake of healthy fat. Olive oil is a cornerstone of the diet and is used almost exclusively for cooking. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, which lowers unhealthy LDL cholesterol and raises healthy HDL cholesterol.
Fish is one of the leanest sources of protein around. It rivals red meat in its protein content, but instead of being packed with artery-clogging saturated fat, it is rich in heart-healthy unsaturated fats. Oily fish, such as salmon, mackerel and herring are top of the class when it comes to omega-3 fatty acid content.
Fruits and vegetables of all kinds are enjoyed in abundance in the Mediterranean. You can't go wrong when choosing fresh produce, as it is all low in fat, rich in nutrients and antioxidants and high in fibre. Enjoy a variety at every meal.
Despite being high in fat, nuts and seeds are another staple in the Mediterranean. Nuts are rich in monounsaturated fat - the same fat found in olive oil, but tend to be high in calories. Nuts and seeds offer the most health benefits when enjoyed in moderation. This means no more than a handful a day.
While many studies attribute the benefits of the Mediterranean diet to the foods that it contains, it is worth remembering that there are other factors at play. Not only do portions tend to be smaller in this region of the world, physical activity, such as walking, cycling and climbing stairs also tend to be incorporated into daily activities. Enjoying healthy food choices as part of an overall healthy lifestyle is the key to gaining the most benefit.
Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff
By Sean Penn
Simon & Schuster
Three-day coronation
Royal purification
The entire coronation ceremony extends over three days from May 4-6, but Saturday is the one to watch. At the time of 10:09am the royal purification ceremony begins. Wearing a white robe, the king will enter a pavilion at the Grand Palace, where he will be doused in sacred water from five rivers and four ponds in Thailand. In the distant past water was collected from specific rivers in India, reflecting the influential blend of Hindu and Buddhist cosmology on the coronation. Hindu Brahmins and the country's most senior Buddhist monks will be present. Coronation practices can be traced back thousands of years to ancient India.
The crown
Not long after royal purification rites, the king proceeds to the Baisal Daksin Throne Hall where he receives sacred water from eight directions. Symbolically that means he has received legitimacy from all directions of the kingdom. He ascends the Bhadrapitha Throne, where in regal robes he sits under a Nine-Tiered Umbrella of State. Brahmins will hand the monarch the royal regalia, including a wooden sceptre inlaid with gold, a precious stone-encrusted sword believed to have been found in a lake in northern Cambodia, slippers, and a whisk made from yak's hair.
The Great Crown of Victory is the centrepiece. Tiered, gold and weighing 7.3 kilograms, it has a diamond from India at the top. Vajiralongkorn will personally place the crown on his own head and then issues his first royal command.
The audience
On Saturday afternoon, the newly-crowned king is set to grant a "grand audience" to members of the royal family, the privy council, the cabinet and senior officials. Two hours later the king will visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the most sacred space in Thailand, which on normal days is thronged with tourists. He then symbolically moves into the Royal Residence.
The procession
The main element of Sunday's ceremonies, streets across Bangkok's historic heart have been blocked off in preparation for this moment. The king will sit on a royal palanquin carried by soldiers dressed in colourful traditional garb. A 21-gun salute will start the procession. Some 200,000 people are expected to line the seven-kilometre route around the city.
Meet the people
On the last day of the ceremony Rama X will appear on the balcony of Suddhaisavarya Prasad Hall in the Grand Palace at 4:30pm "to receive the good wishes of the people". An hour later, diplomats will be given an audience at the Grand Palace. This is the only time during the ceremony that representatives of foreign governments will greet the king.
UAE WARRIORS RESULTS
Featherweight
Azouz Anwar (EGY) beat Marcelo Pontes (BRA)
TKO round 2
Catchweight 90kg
Moustafa Rashid Nada (KSA) beat Imad Al Howayeck (LEB)
Split points decision
Welterweight
Gimbat Ismailov (RUS) beat Mohammed Al Khatib (JOR)
TKO round 1
Flyweight (women)
Lucie Bertaud (FRA) beat Kelig Pinson (BEL)
Unanimous points decision
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) beat Regelo Enumerables Jr (PHI)
TKO round 1
Catchweight 100kg
Marc Vleiger (NED) beat Mohamed Ali (EGY)
Rear neck choke round 1
Featherweight
James Bishop (NZ) beat Mark Valerio (PHI)
TKO round 2
Welterweight
Abdelghani Saber (EGY) beat Gerson Carvalho (BRA)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Bakhtiyar Abbasov (AZE) beat Igor Litoshik (BLR)
Unanimous points decision
Bantamweight
Fabio Mello (BRA) beat Mark Alcoba (PHI)
Unanimous points decision
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Magomedsultan Magomedsultanov (RUS)
TKO round 1
Bantamweight
Trent Girdham (AUS) beat Jayson Margallo (PHI)
TKO round 3
Lightweight
Usman Nurmagomedov (RUS) beat Roman Golovinov (UKR)
TKO round 1
Middleweight
Tarek Suleiman (SYR) beat Steve Kennedy (AUS)
Submission round 2
Lightweight
Dan Moret (USA) v Anton Kuivanen (FIN)
TKO round 2
DUNE%3A%20PART%20TWO
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Pieces of Her
Stars: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, David Wenham, Omari Hardwick
Director: Minkie Spiro
Rating:2/5
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2014%20PRO%20MAX
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
UAE v Ireland
1st ODI, UAE win by 6 wickets
2nd ODI, January 12
3rd ODI, January 14
4th ODI, January 16
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
