A Mediterranean-style diet, including abundant quantities of virgin olive oil, gives protections against diabetes, a Spanish study has shown.

A study being published in the latest issue of the British Medical Journal followed the eating habits of 13,000 graduates from the University of Navarra for eight years from 1999 to 2007. The results found those who stuck closely to a Mediterranean diet had an 83 per cent lower risk of developing diabetes, even though many were considered to have the highest risk factors for diabetes such as age, family history of diabetes and a personal history of smoking.

Substantial protection against diabetes can be obtained with the traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, vegetables, fruit, nuts, cereals, legumes and fish, but relatively low in meat and dairy products, said Professor Martinez-Gonzalez to The Independent newspaper.

The study also found that people who eat a Mediterranean diet are less likely to be obese, have lower risks of breast and bowel cancer, and half the risk of lung disease. Tests also showed that the diet reduced the possibility of Alzheimer's by 40 per cent.

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