Pasta Doesn't Fatten You - Dispatch Weekly

World News

July 11, 2016 - Reading time: ~1 minute

Pasta may look fattening, but a new study published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes says that’s not the case and that pasta infact is linked with reduced likelihood of both general and abdominal obesity.

The study by Department of Epidemiology, I.R.C.C.S. Neuromed in Pozzilli, Italy, looked at 23,000 people recruited in two large epidemiological studies: Moli-sani and INHES (Italian Nutrition & Health Survey), conducted by the same Department to come to their conclusion.

George Pounis, first author of the paper, reveals that pasta isn’t associated with increase in body weight, but its rather opposite. Findings have indicated that pasta contributes to a healthy body mass index, lower waist circumference and better waist-hip ratio. While many previous studies have looked into the benefits of Mediterranean Diet, few have looked at the specific role of a basic component as pasta.

“In popular views – says Licia Iacoviello, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology at Neuromed Institute – pasta is often considered not adequate when you want to lose weight. And some people completely ban it from their meals. In light of this research, we can say that this is not a correct attitude. We’re talking about a fundamental component of Italian Mediterranean tradition, and there is no reason to do without it. The message emerging from this study, as from other scientific analyses conducted in the context of the Moli-sani Project and INHES, is that Mediterranean diet, consumed in moderation and respecting the variety of all its elements (pasta in the first place), is good to your health”.

DW Staff

David Lintott is the Editor-in-Chief, leading our team of talented freelance journalists. He specializes in covering culture, sport, and society. Originally from the decaying seaside town of Eastbourne, he attributes his insightful world-weariness to his roots in this unique setting.

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