The key to beating obesity? Stop calorie counting and indulge in the Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet, which has long been linked to longer life, could be the key to beating obesity despite its relatively high levels of fat.

16:49 18 November 2014

It has been well established that the Mediterranean diet is linked to longer life. Recent studies hint that it could also be the key to beating widespread obesity and help lower the risk of heart disease and strokes. 

 

Doctors writing in the Postgraduate Medical Journal (PMJ) said: “The α-linoleic acid, polyphenols and omega-3 fatty acids found in abundance in nuts, fruit, vegetables, olive oil and oily fish rapidly exert positive health effects by attenuating thrombosis and inflammation, and it is estimated that increasing population consumption of fruit and vegetables by one portion per day and nut consumption by two servings a week would prevent 5.2 million deaths from cardiovascular disease globally within just one year.”

 

The lead author, cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra, told the BBC: “What's more responsible is that we tell people to concentrate on eating nutritious foods.

 

“It's going to have an impact on their health very quickly. We know the traditional Mediterranean diet, which is higher in fat, proven from randomised controlled trials, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke even within months of implementation.”