Swap to heart-healthy olive oil

THE Mediterranean diet, packed with tomatoes, red wine and olive oil, will give people in Spain the world’s longest lives, research has found.

By 2040 they will live an average 85.8 years, with what they eat a major factor, say study authors.

Portugal and Italy, where diets are similar, are also in the top 10 of the life expectancy league table.

The UK crept up from 26 to 23 in the world, with the average 80.8 years in 2016 rising to 83.3 by 2040.

The forecasts, produced by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation in Seattle, US, follow the most comprehensive study to date on global disease and life expectancy.

A decade of research has found the benefits of a Med-style diet include a lower risk of some cancers, diabetes and the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis. There is also protection from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, fewer heart attacks and strokes – it even improves wrinkles.

Dr Sarah Brewer, author of Eat Well, Live Longer (DK Books) said: “A healthy, Mediterranean diet packed with fruit and veg, fish, olive oil, nuts and whole grains has been shown to help us live a longer, healthier life than consuming the modern Western diet which contains an excess of sugary and processed foods.”

Yet switching to Spanish-style eating is a lot easier than you might think. Here are some simple ways to say “hola” to healthier eating…

This key component of the diet can be used in place of all other cooking fats, whether frying, roasting or baking. Also drizzle it on salads and use on bread instead of butter.