The Mediterranean diet often recommended by doctors and nutritionists for its health benefits seems to have once again proven its effectiveness, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Canadian Medical Association Journal. This type of diet would improve the health of people with metabolic syndrome by reducing abdominal fat and blood sugar levels.
Metabolic syndrome is not a disease but refers to all of the following physiological signs: HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) lower than 1.04 mmol / l for men, 1.29 mmol / l (46 mg / dl) for women, accumulation of fat on the stomach, arterial hypertension, blood sugar disorders (diabetes, prediabetes), high triglyceride level. These symptoms can cause diabetes, cardiovascular problems, or stroke. It affects 25% of people in the world.
Olive oil and nuts boost the health effects of the Mediterranean diet
The researchers carried out a clinical study of 5,800 Spaniards aged 55 to 80, all of whom were at high risk for heart disease.
The scientists wanted to compare the effects of three diets on metabolic syndrome: a mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil, a Mediterranean diet enriched with nuts and a diet low in fat. During this study, the participants did not increase their physical activity.
At the start of the study, nearly 64% of the volunteers suffered from a metabolic syndrome. After 4.8 years of follow-up, the results of the study revealed that those who followed the two Mediterranean diets reduced their levels of belly fat and blood glucose. And, 28.2% of them no longer showed signs of this syndrome.
The Mediterranean diet, especially supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (which has anti-inflammatory properties) or nuts, could have positive effects on fat redistribution and reduction of metabolic syndrome.
“We found the mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil or in walnuts had a more beneficial effect on obesity and hyperglycemia than a low-fat diet ”explains Jordi Salas-Salvadó from the Human Nutrition Unit, Faculty of medicine and health sciences, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Spain).
“In contrast, these findings may not apply to the general population, as all study participants had a high risk of cardiovascular disease.”
