Madrid wants Mediterranean diet, which is particularly popular in Spain, Italy and other countries in the Mediterranean region, to be entered in the list of world cultural and spiritual heritage.

The news of Spain's intentions was reported in the Spanish Parliament from the Minister of sustainable development, of agriculture and fishery Elena Espinosa Mangana, Bulgarian National Television reported.

UNESCO will decide on the topic in September 2009.

France also intends to ask UNESCO to also include in its list of intangible cultural heritage the French culinary art. In 2005, Mexico requested such a thing to be done with the Mexican cuisine, but the proposal was rejected.

Mediterranean diet includes fruits, vegetables, cereals, cheese and olive oil. Diet is meager in red wine, milk and butter. It is believed that it helps to prevent some forms of cancer or cardio-vascular diseases.