Table 3.

Assumptions of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet, based on [75,76].

Characteristics	Mediterranean Diet	The DASH diet
Carbohydrates [% of total caloric value]	40–45	55
Carbohydrates–characteristics	primary sources: vegetables and fruits	primary sources: whole grains, vegetables, and fruits
Protein [% of total caloric value]	15–18	27
Protein–characteristics	primary sources: lean dairy products, legumes, and fish	primary sources: lean dairy and white meat
Fats [% of total calorific value]	35–45	18
Fats–characteristics	-mainly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated -primary sources: olive oil and nuts	-primary sources: nuts and vegetable oils
Other characteristics	-moderate consumption of red wine [beneficial effect on the lipid profile] -significant consumption of fish, especially fatty sea fish [beneficial effect on the lipid profile]	-high intake of potassium, magnesium, and fiber [influence on glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and insulin action] -organically significant amounts of salt [effects on blood pressure] -organically amount of fat in the diet [improvement of cardiometabolic parameters]