Even 4,000 years ago, people in the Mediterranean knew what was good for them. A new study found ancient Syrians ate similarly to what we now call the Mediterranean diet, which is today touted for its many health benefits.

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“The human diet was relatively low in animal protein and appears comparable to what is considered today a typical Mediterranean diet consisting of bread (wheat/barley), olives, grapes, pulses, dairy products and small amounts of meat,” [University of Leuven archeological chemist Benjamin] Fuller and colleagues write in their paper.

While their reliance on plant consumption may have emerged out of necessity, freeing up their animals for other uses, the ratio of meats to fruit, grains, and vegetables still proves to be the healthiest option today, for both our own wellbeing and the environment’s.

Members of the ancient society must have been able to produce enough food from their crops, indicating their land was fertile. This correlates with the region’s known olive oil production.

These findings reveal that a Mediterranean-like diet has helped sustain humanity for millennia. But this diet also emerged in a fertile environment with a relatively stable climate.

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