A nutritionist has been spending months hands on testing a range of diets to see which one’s actually work. To have the full immersion into the diet Gavin Wren moved to the Italian coast and has gone to TikTok to share his findings.
He devised a thorough scoring system to evaluate each diet based on three distinct factors: its impact on his mental health and energy levels, how easily it could be integrated into his social life, and the cost of the necessary foods. Wren set up home in Vallo della Lucania, a town in the southern region of Campania, to demonstrate the traditional nature of the Mediterranean diet
He said: “The diet is more than just olive oil with your dinner it’s about thousands of years of connection with people to land around the Mediterranean.”

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Wren also delved into into the science his food and suggested that enjoying a glass of red wine at dinner may not be as bad as it seems. After committing to regular drinking, he added: “Some of the research says that moderate alcohol consumption and specifically red wine is a cornerstone of a Mediterranean diet so in the name of science I’m going to have red wine with lunch and dinner every single day.”
The scientist balanced all the bread and pasta with an active lifestyle, going for swims and runs and generally spending more time outdoors. These activities are said to improve brain and heart health as well as reducing the chance of certain types of cancers over a long term.
A recent study has also found the diet itself to reduce the risk of serious disease, particularly heart disease. Flora Clarke of ZOE Nutrition said: “When researchers looked at the diet of over 17,000 people with cardiovascular disease, they found that those who stuck more closely to a Mediterranean diet were less likely to have died from any cause during the following 5–8 years.”
She added: “It found that those who ate Mediterranean diets supplemented with either nuts or extra-virgin olive oil — containing healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats — were less likely to have a heart attack in later years than those who followed a low-fat diet.”
The verdict
After a month of living la dolce vita, Wren came back to TikTok to post his findings. He also ranked the diet against others he tried in recent months. He said: “First up mood mental health and energy and it is a clear 10, the best score I’ve had so far. Secondly, social life and convenience, this gets a solid 10 too. Who doesn’t love sharing a pizza, some mezze or sitting around drinking a glass of wine late into a summers evening.”
However he did warn of a potential long time spent in the kitchen cooking and sourcing fresh produce.. Giving the final category of cost a score of an eight, he added “The raw ingredients required to make the food I was eating are simply cheaper in Italy and in better quality. Nice Tomatoes are literally half the price of in the UK.”
What do health authorities say about the Mediterranean diet?

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The NHS recommends following a balanced diet if you are looking to lose weight. This includes having five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.
It adds: “Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.”
According to the website, the recommended daily calorie intake for the average man is 2,500 for men and 2,000 for women. And it’s advisable to fill consume these from healthy sources where possible.
According to a study by the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, there are many benefits that come with following a Mediterranean diet. These include:
- Weight loss – plants are naturally lower in calories and high in fibre, which helps you feel fuller for longer
- Reduced risk of having a heart attack or stroke – replacing saturated fat, found mostly in meat and dairy, with healthier fats in nuts and olive oil, lowers your cholesterol levels. This is good for your heart and blood vessels
- Diabetes – eating a diet rich in plants can help prevent type 2diabetes. For people with diabetes (type 1, type 2 and gestational), it can help lower blood glucose levels and may allow them to reduce their medication
- Reduced blood pressure
- Lower risk of developing certain cancers – bowel, breast, prostate, stomach, bladder, head and neck, lung and pancreatic cancer
- Lower risk of developing dementia
- Better balance of good gut bacteria, which can lead to better digestion
- Improved mood and mental health
- Environmentally friendly – Mediterranean diets have a lower impact on the environment due to lower greenhouse emissions, and less land and water use
- Better sleep
Source: bing.com