Mediterranean Diet Intake Research Articles

Effect of acute meal and long-term intake of a Mediterranean Diet providing different amounts of carbohydrates on physical performance and biomarkers in non-professional strength athletes

The study aims to evaluate the effect of an acute meal and long-term intake of Mediterranean Diet (MD) on different parameters such as strength, physical performance, body composition and blood markers in a group of non-professional athletes who practice a strength activity. Thirteen volunteers completed two 8-week dietary interventions in a randomised, cross-over design. Also an acute study was performed. Subjects received a MD High in carbohydrates, characterised by at least five portions of pasta/week and an average 55–60% of daily energy derived from carbohydrates, versus an MD reduced in carbohydrates, with less than two portions of pasta/week and an average of 40–45% of daily energy provided by carbohydrates. Mainly, data did not show significant differences for the parameters analysed, except for Elbow Flexor maximum voluntary contraction (p = .039). Results enlighten that increasing total carbohydrates intake, as typically in the MD, does not negatively affect physical performance, body composition and strength.

Maternal Intake of Mediterranean Diet Protects Newborn Mice From Western Diet-Induced Gut Dysbiosis and Metabolic Deficits

Maternal Intake of Mediterranean Diet Protects Newborn Mice From Western Diet-Induced Gut Dysbiosis and Metabolic Deficits

Female infertility and diet, is there a role for a personalized nutritional approach in assisted reproductive technologies? A Narrative Review.

Female infertility is a major public health concern and a global challenge. It is a disorder of the reproductive system, defined as the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy. Nutrition and other environmental factors are found to impact reproductive health in women as well as the outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Dietary factors, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), fiber as well as the intake of Mediterranean diet appear to exert beneficial effects on female reproductive outcomes. The exact mechanisms associating diet to female fertility are yet to be identified, although genomic, epigenomic, and microbial pathways may be implicated. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the impact of dietary components on female reproduction and ART outcomes, and to discuss the relevant interplay of diet with genome, epigenome and microbial composition.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence in People With Parkinson's Disease Reduces Constipation Symptoms and Changes Fecal Microbiota After a 5-Week Single-Arm Pilot Study.

Introduction: Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) such as gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction are common, yet little is known about how modifying dietary intake impacts PD symptoms. The aim of this study in individuals with PD was to determine whether a Mediterranean diet intervention is feasible and affects GI function, intestinal permeability and fecal microbial communities.Methods: A single-arm, 5-week Mediterranean diet intervention study was conducted in eight people with PD. Daily and weekly questionnaires were administered to determine changes in GI symptoms. Urine and stool samples were collected at baseline and after 5 weeks to assess intestinal permeability and fecal microbial communities. Additionally, live-in partners of the participants with PD were matched as controls (n = 8) for baseline urine and stool samples.Results: Participants with PD increased intake of Mediterranean diet based on adherence scores from baseline to week 5 (4.4 ± 0.6 vs. 11.9 ± 0.7; P < 0.01 with >10 representing good adherence), which was linked with weight loss (77.4 kg vs. 74.9 kg, P = 0.01). Constipation syndrome scores decreased after 5 weeks (2.3 ± 0.5 vs. 1.5 ± 0.3; P = 0.04). Bilophila, was higher at baseline in PD (0.6 ± 0.1% vs. 0.2 ± 0.1% P = 0.02) and slightly decreased after the diet intervention (0.5 ± 0.1%; P = 0.01). Interestingly, the proportion of Roseburia was significantly lower in PD compared to controls (0.6 ± 0.2% vs. 1.6 ± 0.3%; P = 0.02) and increased at week 5 (0.9 ± 0.2%; P < 0.01). No differences were observed for markers of intestinal permeability between the control and PD groups or post-intervention.Conclusions: Short-term Mediterranean diet adherence is feasible in participants with PD; correlated with weight loss, improved constipation, and modified gut microbiota.Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03851861.

Clinical Research on Antioxidant-Based Modalities in 2020

Clinical Research on Antioxidant-Based Modalities in 2020

Association of the Mediterranean Diet With Onset of Diabetes in the Women’s Health Study

Higher Mediterranean diet (MED) intake has been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, but underlying biological mechanisms are unclear. To characterize the relative contribution of conventional and novel biomarkers in MED-associated type 2 diabetes risk reduction in a US population. This cohort study was conducted among 25 317 apparently healthy women. The participants with missing information regarding all traditional and novel metabolic biomarkers or those with baseline diabetes were excluded. Participants were invited for baseline assessment between September 1992 and May 1995. Data were collected from November 1992 to December 2017 and analyzed from December 2018 to December 2019. MED intake score (range, 0 to 9) was computed from self-reported dietary intake, representing adherence to Mediterranean diet intake. Incident cases of type 2 diabetes, identified through annual questionnaires; reported cases were confirmed by either telephone interview or supplemental questionnaire. Proportion of reduced risk of type 2 diabetes explained by clinical risk factors and a panel of 40 biomarkers that represent different physiological pathways was estimated. The mean (SD) age of the 25 317 female participants was 52.9 (9.9) years, and they were followed up for a mean (SD) of 19.8 (5.8) years. Higher baseline MED intake (score ≥6 vs ≤3) was associated with as much as a 30% lower type 2 diabetes risk (age-adjusted and energy-adjusted hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.62-0.79; when regression models were additionally adjusted with body mass index [BMI]: hazard ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.96). Biomarkers of insulin resistance made the largest contribution to lower risk (accounting for 65.5% of the MED-type 2 diabetes association), followed by BMI (55.5%), high-density lipoprotein measures (53.0%), and inflammation (52.5%), with lesser contributions from branched-chain amino acids (34.5%), very low-density lipoprotein measures (32.0%), low-density lipoprotein measures (31.0%), blood pressure (29.0%), and apolipoproteins (23.5%), and minimal contribution (≤2%) from hemoglobin A1c. In post hoc subgroup analyses, the inverse association of MED diet with type 2 diabetes was seen only among women who had BMI of at least 25 at baseline but not those who had BMI of less than 25 (eg, women with BMI <25, age- and energy-adjusted HR for MED score ≥6 vs ≤3, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.77-1.33; P for trend = .92; women with BMI ≥25: HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67-0.87; P for trend < .001). In this cohort study, higher MED intake scores were associated with a 30% relative risk reduction in type 2 diabetes during a 20-year period, which could be explained in large part by biomarkers of insulin resistance, BMI, lipoprotein metabolism, and inflammation.

Effect of gestational Mediterranean diet intervention on newborn fat mass and cord blood leptin level

BackgroundMaternal nutritional status is an important determinant of intrauterine growth and neonatal size. No published surveys exist on maternal Mediterranean diet intakes and newborn adiposity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the individual maternal Mediterranean diet on the in-utero body fat formation and cord leptin level in newborns. Pregnant women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 35 kg/m2 (n = 118) were assisted for individual dietary counseling based on the Mediterranean diet healthy eating. According to diet adherence, participants (paired mother and newborn) were divided into an intervention group (n = 57) and a control group (n = 61). We examined the association between diet modification and gestational weight gain, maternal, and cord leptin level together with newborn anthropometry (weight and fat mass %).ResultsGestational weight gain, newborn birth weight, fat mass %, and cord leptin level lower in the intervention (12.22 ± 1.8 kg, 3.57 ± 0.35 kg, 9.27 ± 2.16 %, 11.78 ± 3.63 ng/ml, p = 000, respectively) than in control group (18.03 ± 3.25 kg, 4.02 ± 0.32 kg, 11.85 ± 2.30 %, 35.37 ± 11.14 ng/ml, respectively. Umbilical cord leptin levels strongly correlated with neonatal fat mass percent in both groups. However, maternal serum leptin did not correlate with the newborn parameters in the intervention group.ConclusionMaternal energy intake from healthy fat and diet intervention is probably associated with decreased fat mass and leptin levels in neonates.

Multisite Culinary Medicine Curriculum Is Associated With Cardioprotective Dietary Patterns and Lifestyle Medicine Competencies Among Medical Trainees.

Background. Adherence to Mediterranean dietary patterns reduces the incidence of cardiovascular disease and other major chronic diseases. We aimed to assess the association between participation in kitchen-based nutrition education and Mediterranean diet intake and lifestyle medicine counseling competencies among medical trainees. Methods. The Cooking for Health Optimization with Patients (CHOP) curriculum is a hands-on cooking-based nutrition education program implemented at 32 medical programs (4125 medical trainees) across the United States. Mediterranean diet intake, nutrition attitudes, and lifestyle medicine counseling competencies were assessed via validated surveys. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression assessed the relationship of CHOP education with Mediterranean diet intake, nutrition attitudes, and lifestyle medicine counseling competencies. Results. Individuals participating in the CHOP program were 82% more likely to follow the Mediterranean diet compared with those receiving traditional nutrition education (OR = 1.82; P < .001). CHOP participants were more likely to satisfy daily intake of fruits (OR = 1.33; P = .019) and vegetables (OR = 2.06; P < .001) and agree that nutrition counseling should be a routine component of clinical care (OR = 2.43; P < .001). Kitchen-based nutrition education versus traditional curricula is associated with a higher likelihood of total counseling competency involving 25 lifestyle medicine categories (OR = 1.67; P < .001). Conclusion. Kitchen-based nutrition education is associated with cardioprotective dietary patterns and lifestyle medicine counseling among medical trainees.

Assessment of Risk Factors and Biomarkers Associated With Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among Women Consuming a Mediterranean Diet

Higher Mediterranean diet (MED) intake has been associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but limited data are available about the underlying molecular mechanisms of this inverse disease association in human populations. To better characterize the relative contribution of traditional and novel factors to the MED-related risk reduction in CVD events in a US population. Using a prospective cohort design, baseline MED intake was assessed in 25 994 initially healthy US women in the Women's Health Study who were followed up to 12 years. Potential mediating effects of a panel of 40 biomarkers were evaluated, including lipids, lipoproteins, apolipoproteins, inflammation, glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, branched-chain amino acids, small-molecule metabolites, and clinical factors. Baseline study information and samples were collected between April 30, 1993, and January 24, 1996. Analyses were conducted between August 1, 2017, and October 30, 2018. Intake of MED is a 9-category measure of adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern. Participants were categorized into 3 levels based on their adherence to the MED. Incident CVD confirmed through medical records and the proportion of CVD risk reduction explained by mediators. Among 25 994 women (mean [SD] age, 54.7 [7.1] years), those with low, middle, and upper MED intakes composed 39.0%, 36.2%, and 24.8% of the study population and experienced 428 (4.2%), 356 (3.8%), and 246 (3.8%) incident CVD events, respectively. Compared with the reference group who had low MED intake, CVD risk reductions were observed for the middle and upper groups, with respective HRs of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.67-0.90) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.61-0.86) (P for trend < .001). The largest mediators of the CVD risk reduction of MED intake were biomarkers of inflammation (accounting for 29.2% of the MED-CVD association), glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (27.9%), and body mass index (27.3%), followed by blood pressure (26.6%), traditional lipids (26.0%), high-density lipoprotein measures (24.0%) or very low-density lipoprotein measures (20.8%), with lesser contributions from low-density lipoproteins (13.0%), branched-chain amino acids (13.6%), apolipoproteins (6.5%), or other small-molecule metabolites (5.8%). In this study, higher MED intake was associated with approximately one-fourth relative risk reduction in CVD events, which could be explained in part by known risk factors, both traditional and novel.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet in a Lebanese sample

Purpose– The relationship between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and reduced mortality or a lower incidence of major chronic diseases has been widely studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the adherence of a Lebanese adult sample to the Mediterranean diet.Design/methodology/approach– This cross-sectional dietary survey involved a Lebanese population sample aged 19 to 70 years. A total of 615 men and women were asked to fill a diet history questionnaire (144 items), assisted by trained nutrition research assistants. Data were analyzed and compared to the Mediterranean diet recommendations, and the Mediterranean diet score, a ten-point scale based on above and below median levels of consumption, was estimated.Findings– There was no significant difference in terms of adherence between men and women participants below the age of 30 years, while women over 30 years had a poorer score than men within this age group. The surveyed sample was found to have a 4.2 Mediterranean diet score and, thus, has a low adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, legumes and nuts of this Lebanese sample met the Mediterranean diet recommendations, while whole grains, poultry and fish consumption was lower than the recommended Mediterranean diet intake, and meat consumption was found to be much higher than what was recommended.Originality/value– Facing the fast increase in non-communicable disease incidence, and with a more spread Western-type culture, it is central to raise awareness about the role of traditional Mediterranean diet in preventing and protecting against these diseases. This study contributes to the limited literature on the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Lebanon.

Role of Mediterranean diet, tropical vegetables rich in antioxidants, and sunlight exposure in blindness, cataract and glaucoma among African type 2 diabetics.

To assess whether regular Mediterranean diet and regular intake of vegetables may reduce the risk of blindness, cataract, and glaucoma in these type 2 diabetics. A cross-sectional design was carried out among known black diabetics admitted at the diabetic clinics of Kinshasa, between October 2008 and March 2009. The Mediterranean-style dietary score (MSDPS) was used to characterize a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in the study population using the Harvard semi quantitative FFQ adapted for Africa. Five hundred Type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study (48% of males; 40% aged ≥60 years). There was a significant association between blindness, cataract and aging; between blindness (P<0.05), cataract (P<0.05), glaucoma (P<0.05), and physical inactivity; between blindness (P<0.05), cataract (P<0.0001), glaucoma (P<0.01) and high SES, and a very significant association between blindness (P<0.0001), cataract (P<0.0001), glaucoma (P<0.0001) and exposure to sunlight. There was also a significant association between blindness, glaucoma, and male sex. Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, Musa acuminata reduced significantly the risk of blindness, cataract and glaucoma. Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, and Musa acuminata may significantly reduce the risk of blindness or its major causes among type 2 diabetes mellitus in Africa.