The Mediterranean diet often recommended by doctors and nutritionists for its health benefits, seems once again to prove its qualities, according to the results of a study from the University of Palma de Mallorca (Spain) published on Jama network. Spanish researchers claim that the Mediterranean diet, combined with physical activity, helps combat weight gain linked to aging, and gets rid of the pounds that accumulate around the waist or on the stomach. .
A beneficial influence on metabolic syndrome
For this study, 1521 middle-aged and older people who were overweight or suffering from obesity or metabolic syndrome were recruited. Metabolic syndrome is not a disease but refers to all of the following physiological signs: HDL cholesterol level (the “good” cholesterol) less than 1.04 mmol/l for men, 1.29 mmol/l (46 mg/dl) for women, accumulation of belly fat, high blood pressure, blood sugar disorders (diabetes, prediabetes), high triglycerides. These symptoms can cause diabetes, cardiovascular problems or stroke. It affects 25% of people worldwide.
These participants were divided into two groups. The first followed a Mediterranean diet while reducing his calorie intake by 30% and increasing his physical activity. The second followed a Mediterranean diet without calorie restriction or modification of physical activity.
Unsurprisingly, the participants in the first group experienced “clinically significant” changes according to the researchers: they both lost a significant amount of body fat and gained muscle mass. In addition to overall body fat loss, study participants also lost visceral abdominal fat considered “dangerous” when suffering from metabolic syndrome.
Positive effects on fat redistribution
“This study confirms that we can profoundly change our metabolic status,” explained Dr. Walter Willett, a nutrition researcher at Harvard, interviewed by CNN.
According to researchers, the Mediterranean diet, which gives pride of place to extra-virgin olive oil (which has anti-inflammatory properties) and nuts, could have positive effects on the redistribution of fats and the reduction of the syndrome. metabolic. Their study is part of a large clinical trial in Spain, in which 23 research centers are testing how diet and exercise can reduce cardiovascular risk in men and women aged 55 to 75.
Source : An Energy-Reduced Mediterranean Diet, Physical Activity, and Body CompositionAn Interim Subgroup Analysis of the PREDIMED-Plus Randomized Clinical TrialJama network open, October 2023
