Mediterranean Diet as an Antioxidant: The Impact on Metabolic Health and Overall Wellbeing

Abstract

It has been established, worldwide, that non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular events account for a high percentage of morbidity and mortality in contemporary societies. Several modifiable risk factors, such as sedentary activities, sleep deprivation, smoking, and unhealthy dietary habits have contributed to this increase. Healthy nutrition in terms of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), rich in fruits, legumes, vegetables, olive oil, herbs, spices, and high fiber intake may contribute to the decrease in this pandemic. The beneficial effects of the MD can be mainly attributed to its numerous components rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Moreover, the MD may further contribute to the improvement of reproductive health, modify the risk for neurodegenerative diseases, and protect against depression and psychosocial maladjustment. There is also evidence highlighting the impact of healthy nutrition in female people on the composition of the gut microbiota and future metabolic and overall health of their offspring. It is therefore important to highlight the beneficial effects of the MD on metabolic, reproductive, and mental health, while shaping the overall health of future generations. The beneficial effects of MD can be further enhanced by increased physical activity in the context of a well-balanced healthy lifestyle.

Association Between Alcohol Consumption and Risk of Bladder Cancer: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

“…And lifestyle interventions were found to improve clinical outcomes for cancer or chronic medical conditions, either directly or indirectly (34,(38)(39)(40). The bidirectional relationship between lifestyle factors and disease might be systemic and multifaceted, for which lifestyle interventions might have a positive impact on overall health in addition to optimizing the disease-specific outcomes (41,42). As a common additive to beverages, the relation of alcohol and bladder cancer risk was still contradictory though much cancer was linked with alcohol consumption (7,43).…”

Exploring Hedonic and Eudaimonic Items of Well-Being in Mediterranean and Non-Mediterranean Countries: Influence of Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors

“…Lifestyle habits considerably influence our health; in particular, the Mediterranean lifestyle is considered a way of life that can effectively promote not only physical health but also social and mental well-being [18]. Between the components of the Mediterranean lifestyle, a lot of research provided evidence of the favorable influence of the Mediterranean diet (MD) on the prevention of NCDs including neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disorders [19,20]. More recently, a positive impact of the adherence to MD and/or consumption of some of their main healthy food (i.e., fruits and vegetables) on subjectively experienced well-being has also been repeatedly reported [21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

Gut Microbiota Metabolites in Major Depressive Disorder—Deep Insights into Their Pathophysiological Role and Potential Translational Applications

“…conferring health benefits on intestinal barrier and gut microbiota [267,268]. These positive findings have been also associated with the protection against depression and psychosocial maladjustment [265].…”

“…SCFAs, in their common definition, are metabolic byproducts primarily derived from colon microbial carbohydrate fermentation of dietary fibers that escape digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract [264]. Therefore, dietary fibers or microbiota-accessible carbohydrates, positively shape the microbial metabolism and the composition of gut microbiota [265,266].…”