3rd Cretan Lifestyle Conference highlights Mediterranean diet’s global relevance
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The 3rd Cretan Lifestyle Conference, held from October 29 to November 2 at the Amirandes Resort near Heraklion, Crete, brought together over 75 researchers, students, and professionals from 12 countries.
Organised by the Hellenic Center for Excellence in Health & Wellness and Grecotel, under the auspices of the Region of Crete and Greece’s Ministries of Tourism and Health, the event celebrated the health benefits and sustainability of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle.
Keynote speaker Dr Antonia Trichopoulou, a pioneer of the Mediterranean diet pyramid, emphasised the importance of adapting its principles to global cultures for environmental sustainability through a “Planetary Diet.”
Harvard’s Dr Frank Hu underscored olive oil’s unique health benefits, cultural significance, and eco-friendliness, while other experts highlighted the Mediterranean diet’s role in reducing chronic diseases and promoting healthy aging.
The conference featured engaging cultural experiences, including winery tours, archaeological site visits, and traditional Cretan feasts. It also hosted a parallel Agro-Food Startup competition, where Teapsule—a producer of compostable herbal tea capsules—took first prize.
Distinguished awards were presented, including the Lifetime Achievement in Public Health to Harvard’s Dr Hu and a Philanthropy Award to Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, for his contributions in Africa. Plans were announced to offer scholarships for young African scientists to attend future conferences, further extending the reach of Crete’s celebrated lifestyle.
The conference concluded with findings from the Spanish CORDIOPREV study, affirming the Mediterranean diet’s superiority in reducing cardiovascular risks and chronic diseases, solidifying its reputation as a model for healthy living worldwide.
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