Eating Mediterranean diet is as healthy as going vegan: study

It is widely believed that a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fresh fish, olive oil and plentiful vegetables, brings to you a long and healthy life, reports the Daily Mail. However, researchers are even going on to say that it is just as healthy as being a vegetarian or vegan, according to new study.

The study project that took place on Italy involved looking at how different diets affect the different types of bacteria in people’s guts. Researchers examined the diets of healthy vegans, vegetarians and omnivores from different cities in Italy along with the 'chemical fingerprints' in their stool and urine samples. It was discovered that those who ate only meat occasionally – as per the Mediterranean diet – had high levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFCs) – known to keep diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at bay. It was also revealed that people with vegetable-rich diets also had the highest levels of a type of bacteria which had earlier been linked to plant-based diets.

The findings of this study were based on the eating habits of 153 Italians, including omnivores, vegetarians or vegans and were published in the journal Gut.