Mediterranean, vegetarian diets both effective for weight loss: Study

A new study has found that both the vegetarian and Mediterranean diets aid weight loss, the Metro reported.

For the study, researchers studied the effects of both diets on 107 overweight participants for six months. During the course of the study, participants regularly received health checks and were given nutritional advise.

The results showed that both diets were effective in reducing weight and fat mass. On average, participants lost close to 1.88kg on the vegetarian diet and 1.77kg on the Mediterranean.

They also have an impact on heart health in different ways. Bad cholesterol was reduced by the vegetarian diet and the Mediterranean reduced fatty acid levels.

"The take-home message is that a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is easy and feasible to follow, without any health problems, if well conducted and prepared by an instructed nutritionist," lead author Dr Francesco Sofi told Reuters.

Adding, "This helps you to reduce some cardiovascular risk factors as well as a Mediterranean diet."