Most people know that diet and exercise play a crucial role in fitness, but it turns out the specific details of one of those things can lead to to a healthier form of weight loss.

A recent study in the JAMA Network suggests that people who follow a low calorie Mediterranean diet and exercise regularly don't just burn fat but also build muscle. A Mediterranean diet is centered around eating foods like vegatables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. The study showed that the diet and regular exercise decrease visceral belly fat, which is a dangerous type of fat, often linked to diabetes, heart disease and stroke.