‘Green’ Mediterranean diet even better than the original

FOLLOWING a Mediterranean diet has long been seen as the key to a healthy heart and long life.

But scientists have now discovered that you can make it even healthier – by replacing meat with even more vegetables.

The so- called ‘ green’ Mediterranean plan was found to be better for weight loss and lowering cholesterol and diabetes risk than the traditional version.

Researchers conducted a trial on nearly 300 participants who were obese, with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.

They were all told to increase their physical activity and then divided into three groups. The first group followed basic guidelines for a healthy diet and the second followed a traditional Mediterranean diet. The third followed a green version of the Mediterranean plan, which meant avoiding red meat while having more plants, walnuts, green tea and plant-based protein shakes.

After six months, it was found that the ‘green’ Mediterranean group lost a stone on average, the traditional group 12lb and the healthy diet just 3lb.

The research, published in the journal Heart, also found the green diet group achieved significantly larger falls in ‘bad’ low- density cholesterol, as well as insulin resistance. Study author Professor Iris Shai, of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, said the green version ‘may further reduce cardiovascular risk’ compared to the traditional Med diet.