Mar 26, 2015 09:44 PM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

New research suggests that the Mediterranean diet, a menu traditionally eaten in Spain, is not only healthier, it leaves less of a carbon footprint than that of the U.S. or the United Kingdom.

The consequences of climate change range from species extinction to sea-level increases and the spread of diseases. For this reason, researchers have been struggling for years to alleviate its effects, even limiting the pollution caused by food consumption.

"Climate change is an international priority that must be tackled from all angles, one being the family environment and consideration of our daily diet," said Rosario Vidal, lead author of the study and researcher in the Mechanical Engineering and Construction department at the Valencian institution.

For the study, researchers at the University Hospital Complex of Huelva, Jaume I University of Castellón and the University of Huelva analyzed the carbon footprint of daily menus served in Spain, based on a roughly Mediterranean diet, and compared them to those eaten in English-speaking countries, such as the United Kingdom and the U.S.

They analyzed a total of 448 lunches and 448 dinners throughout the four seasons of the year to satisfy calorific needs of 2,000 kcal.

They found that the average daily carbon footprint obtained was 5.08 kg of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), much less than the average for the US (estimated at between 8.5 kg and 8.8 kg of CO2e) or the United Kingdom (estimated at 7.4 kg of CO2e); all for the same calorific intake. The carbon footprint was also obtained for 17 other therapeutic diets such as soft, liquid or low/high-protein diets.

"The differences between the average value of the Mediterranean diet and that of English-speaking countries is due to much less beef being eaten in Spain (a food item with a larger carbon footprint) and more vegetables and fruit being eaten, which have a lower carbon footprints," states the expert. "Therefore, it is not only healthier, but our diet is also more ecological."

The findings are detailed in the Journal of Health Services Research & Policy. 

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