Mediterranean diet 'offers many health benefits'

16:53 5th August 2011

People who grow their own fruit and vegetables in a greenhouse and then eat plenty of them in their daily diet can enjoy several health benefits, an expert has suggested.

According to Nigel Denby, dietitian and founder of grub4life.org.uk, eating lots of fresh produce as part of a Mediterranean-style menu, along with healthy oils, plenty of fish, pulses and whole grains can lead to greater physical wellbeing.

Medical research has shown that eating these foodstuffs regularly can protect against conditions like heart disease, diabetes and some cancers, he added.

Mr Denby went on to point out that this is because of the specific nutrients contained within them.

"If you have a higher intake of fruits and vegetables, you will have a higher intake of dietary fibre and antioxidants - both of which have beneficial health effects," he explained.

The antioxidants protect against free radical damage, which is a contributory factor in cancer, the expert concluded, while a high fibre diet can prevent obesity.