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A great remedy for overeating can be... the Mediterranean diet
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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Representatives of the Wake Forest University College of Medicine conducted an interesting experiment with monkeys and noticed that regular meals that correspond to the Mediterranean diet help prevent such a problem as overeating. The head of the experimental project was Carol Shively, and the results of the work were published on the pages of the journal Obesity.
Previous studies examining the impact of dietary characteristics on the body's need for calories were based on information obtained by comparing the corresponding data in rodents or humans. In rodents, the diet has virtually nothing in common with that of humans, and information obtained from interviews with human volunteers is often highly subjective. In their new project, the experts focused on studying the effect of the Mediterranean diet on monkeys.
The study lasted for quite a long time – three years: physiologically, this period of time in primates is approximately equal to nine years of human life. The experiment involved 38 middle-aged female monkeys, who were divided into groups based on their body weight and average percentage of body fat. The first group of animals was fed products containing a lot of animal protein and fat – following the example of the Western diet. The second group was offered mainly plant products, similar to the so-called Mediterranean diet. In general, the proportional content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet in both groups was approximately the same.
The monkeys were not restricted in their diet and ate as much as they considered necessary. After three years, the experts assessed the health of the animals and found that the monkeys that adhered to the Mediterranean diet consumed fewer calories per day and looked slimmer, and the amount of fat tissue in their bodies was less.
Based on the results of the experiment, specialists were able to confirm for the first time the fact that eating according to the Mediterranean diet successfully prevents overeating, can serve as a preventative measure against obesity and even prediabetes – which is much more effective than eating according to the Western type.
Among other things, regular consumption of plant products significantly reduced the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in monkeys. Researchers are confident that nutrition is one of the most significant factors that directly affect health. At the same time, scientists recommend the Mediterranean diet as the optimal option for a healthy diet.
The study is presented in the journal Obesity and in the article onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/oby.22436