The Mediterranean diet, one of the most researched regimes in history, has again been found to be one of the most beneficial.

La Trobe University’s Dr Catherine Itsiopoulos, who specialises in dietetics and nutrition, told Neos Kosmos that greater benefits are continually being associated with the cuisine, predominately followed in countries like Greece, Italy and Spain.

“Following a Mediterranean diet promotes longevity, reduces risks of heart disease, prevents diabetes and more recently there’s evidence suggesting it prevents Alzheimer’s, so neurodegenerative diseases.”

“It can also affect your mood, happiness, and also your cognitive functions, to think clearly. So the benefits are very widespread and there’s evidence from around the world to support this.”

Comparatively, Dr Itsiopoulos said the Mediterranean diet’s benefits far outweigh those of other popular dieting regimes.

“The Paleo diet (for example) is based on a principle of a ‘caveman’, carnivore diet of mainly meat. There weren’t many grains, and it dates back to pre-historic man, so I guess the translation of that into modern times has been quite varied.

“If we reflect on caveman times, the life expectancy was not beyond 40-45 years. Whereas when we’re looking at Mediterranean diets and studies, and particularly some of the areas of the Mediterranean which are part of the long-living populations, like the island of Ikaria and the island of Sardinia, we see quite a high proportion of people living over 95.”

Whilst the Paleo diet might reap greater short-term weight-loss results through its strict high protein, low carbohydrate agenda, the Mediterranean diet’s ingredients, including legumes, greens and fish, is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory qualities.

Accordingly, studies published last year in Spain, through 7,500 participants, found those adhering to a traditional diet native to Greece, Italy and Spain had a 30 per cent reduced risk of dying within five years, which Dr Itsiopoulos said could be translated to the same increase in life expectancy.