Pasta is not fattening and can reduce the likelihood of obesity, Italian scientists have found.

Two studies, examining the diets of over 23,000 adults, found pasta consumption was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity and a healthy body mass index (BMI).

The research, published in the journal Nutrition and Diabetes, concluded pasta consumption was associated with the healthy Mediterranean diet.

A Mediterranean diet, rich in vegetables, fruit, fish, olive oil and whole grains, has been associated with better overall health, a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes and protection against Alzheimer's disease.

However, researchers at Neuromed (Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo) in Italy also found the correlation between pasta intake and healthy BMI was not affected by how closely the Mediterranean Diet was followed.

George Pounis, the paper's lead author, said: "We have seen that consumption of pasta, contrary to what many think, is not associated with an increase in body weight, rather the opposite.

"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".

Licia Iacoviello, Head of the Laboratory of Molecular and Nutritional Epidemiology at Neuromed Institute which conducted the study, said: "In popular views 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."

Dr Gunter Kuhnle, associate professor in nutrition and health at the University of Reading, said "pasta intake" in the study was not seen in isolation but was part of a dietary pattern.

"In this study, people who consumed a lot of pasta also followed a traditional Mediterranean diet, which is not surprising as the study was conducted in a Mediterranean population. Pasta intake could therefore be mainly a marker for adherence to this kind of diet.

"What is interesting however is, that these results clearly show that it is wrong to demonise carbohydrates as the data clearly show that consumption of a carbohydrate-rich food such as pasta does not have to have an adverse effect on body weight.

"The results of this study confirm current dietary recommendations and support the recommendation for a balanced diet."