Pasta can help make you slimmer after all It is a staple part of the Italian diet – and endurance athletes swear by it as they stockpile energy […]

It is a staple part of the Italian diet – and endurance athletes swear by it as they stockpile energy to burn.

However, since carbohydrates have been linked to weight gain, anyone wanting to lose weight tended to shy away from eating pasta dishes.

“Contrary to what many think, pasta is not associated with an increase in body weight — rather, the opposite.” The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Lead author George Pounis

Now Italian scientists have said pasta is not fattening and can actually help make you become slimmer.

More than 23,000 people in two areas of Italy were asked to record everything they ate in a diary before having their diets analysed.

The amount of pasta they consumed on a daily basis was standardised and compared to their Body Mass Index (BMI), weight, height, waist and hip measurements.

Researchers concluded there was no link between eating pasta and gaining weight – it was actually linked to being slimmer.

The study, published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, found that pasta consumption was associated with a “lower prevalence” of obesity – although those studied ate around 50g to 65g a day, much less than “main meal” portions often eaten in the UK.

“Contrary to what many think, pasta is not associated with an increase in body weight — rather, the opposite,” said lead author George Pounis of the Instituto Neurologico Mediterraneo, or Neuromed.

“Our data show that enjoying pasta according to individuals’ needs contributes to a healthy body mass index, lower waist circumference and better waist-hip ratio.”

Bad press for pasta

Fellow researcher Licia Iacoviello said bad press about pasta had led to many people banning it completely in “aggressive” do-it-yourself diets.

“The best way to eat pasta is with tomato, legumes, fish, vegetables and extra virgin olive oil — but not meat or animal fats.” Dr Licia Iacoviello

“We’re talking about a fundamental component of Italian Mediterranean tradition, and there is no reason to do without it,” she said.

“The message from this study is that the Mediterranean diet, consumed in moderation and respecting the variety of all its elements — pasta in the first place — is good to your health.”

Dr Iacoviello said the study had not distinguished between different types of pasta. But other studies suggested that spaghetti cooked al dente — slightly undercooked — had the most favourable impact on blood sugar levels.

In what will be bad news for British fans – who prefer their pasta with creamy sauce and meat – Dr Iacoviello said anyone wanting to avoid putting on weight should eat the dish the Italian way.

“The best way to eat pasta is with tomato, legumes, fish, vegetables and extra virgin olive oil — but not meat or animal fats,” she said.