Ukmedix has just picked up a piece of research that shows that people who eat more fibre have a smaller chance of becoming overweight or obese. The research was undertaken at the University of Navarra by a number of professors who specialise in nutrition and obesity and was part of the SUN Project in the School of Medicine there. The study took place over 5 years and 11,000 volunteers were used to evaluate among other things the physical activity taken during free time, energy consumption, tobacco use and changes in body mass.

The reserachers noted that eating fibre slows down the development of insulin resistance that is known to be an important factor in obesity. The fibre also helps to stop high levels of cholesterol forming and also is known to lower the chances of getting diabetes, hypertension or coronary disease. The researchers also looked at where the best sources of fibre were to be found and it was noted that the food that can give the biggest amounts of fibre are all fruit and vegetables but especially oranges, apples, lettuce, carrots, spinach and Swiss chard. Overall it was shown that most of the best sources of fibre come from what is found in a traditional Mediterranean diet.

The researchers noted that a Mediterranean diet must also be eaten in moderation and eating alot fruits and vegetables to replace other less healthy foods is linked to weight loss and health. The researchers noted that a big presence of fibre in diet was noted in the older people, those who take exercise seriously, people who didn't smoke and those people who stick to 3 straight meals daily and therefore do not snack all the time. The other interesting observation was that women eat more fruit and vegetables than their male counterparts.

Ukmedix is a great fan of the traditional Mediterannean diet with its high levels of fruit and veg and protein from fish and also due to its variety and use of olive oil as opposed to other unhealthy types of cooking oils. With all diets remember to eat in moderation and don't over do it.