Plant bioactive compounds from Mediterranean diet improve risk factors for metabolic syndrome

Farias-Pereira, Renalison; Zuk, Joshua B.; Khavaran, Hannah

doi:10.1080/09637486.2023.2232949

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 167 publications

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“…The MD incorporates a wide variety of plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and herbs [ 32 ]. Besides its richness in essential nutrients, fibers, and vitamins, the components of the MD are rich in polyphenols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional and Physiological Properties of Thymbra spicata: In Vitro Study Using Fecal Fermentation and Intestinal Integrity Models

Khalil,

Piccapane,

Vacca

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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(Poly)phenolic-rich Mediterranean plants such as Thymbra spicata have been associated with several health-promoting effects. The nutritional value, as well as physiological interaction of T. spicata with the gastrointestinal tract, has not been investigated before. The nutritional composition of T. spicata leaves was here characterized by standard analytical methods. T. spicata leaves were subjected to ethanolic extraction, simulated gastrointestinal digestion, and anaerobic microbial gut fermentation. Phenols/flavonoid contents and radical scavenging activity were assessed by colorimetric methods. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The effect on intestinal integrity was evaluated using a Caco-2 monolayers mounted in a Ussing chamber. T. spicata contains a high amount of fiber (12.3%) and unsaturated fatty acids (76% of total fat). A positive change in VOCs including short-chain fatty acids was observed without significant change in viable microbe. T. spicata and carvacrol (main phenolic compound) enhanced ionic currents in a concentration-dependent manner without compromising the Caco-2 monolayer’s integrity. These effects were partially lost upon simulated digestion and completely abolished after colonic fermentation in line with polyphenols and carvacrol content. Conclusion: T. spicata represents a promising nutrient for the modulation of gut microbiota and the gut barrier. Further studies must better define its mechanisms of action.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutritional and Physiological Properties of Thymbra spicata: In Vitro Study Using Fecal Fermentation and Intestinal Integrity Models

Khalil,

Piccapane,

Vacca

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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“…Additionally, systematic reviews and meta-analyses reported that the MD was effective in reducing fasting blood glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in individuals with T2DM [ 41 , 42 ]. The MD’s beneficial effect on diabetes is derived from its nutrient profile, which is particularly rich in fiber, complex carbohydrates, monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds [ 43 , 44 ]. However, the MD diet is a dietary approach characterized by high-carbohydrate intake (50–60% of daily energy requirements at the expense of proteins and fats) and, as known, carbohydrates are the primary macronutrient that significantly affects glycemic control in subjects with diabetes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative Evaluation of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet and a Mediterranean Diet in Overweight/Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 16-Week Intervention Study

Currenti,

Losavio,

Quiete

et al. 2023

Nutrients

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Introduction: The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity has been steadily increasing over the past four decades, with projections indicating a significant rise in the number of affected individuals by 2045. Therapeutic interventions in T2DM aim to control blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of complications. Dietary and lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in the management of T2DM and obesity. While conventional medical nutritional therapy (MNT) often promotes a high-carbohydrate, low-fat Mediterranean diet as an elective treatment, low-carbohydrate diets (LCDs), specifically those restricting carbohydrate intake to less than 130 g/day, have gained popularity due to their multifaceted benefits. Scientific research supports the efficacy of LCDs in improving glycemic control, weight loss, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and overall quality of life. However, sustaining these benefits over the long term remains challenging. This trial aimed to compare the effects of a Mediterranean diet vs. a low-carbohydrate diet (carbohydrate intake < 130 g/day) on overweight/obese patients with T2DM over a 16-week period. The study will evaluate the differential effects of these diets on glycemic regulation, weight reduction, lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: The study population comprises 100 overweight/obese patients with poorly controlled T2DM. Anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance analysis, and blood chemistry assessments will be conducted at baseline and after the 16-week intervention period. Both dietary interventions were hypocaloric, with a focus on maintaining a 500 kcal/day energy deficit. Results: After 16 weeks, both diets had positive effects on various parameters, including weight loss, blood pressure, glucose control, lipid profile, and renal function. However, the low-carbohydrate diet appears to result in a greater reduction in BMI, blood pressure, waist circumference, glucose levels, lipid profiles, cardiovascular risk, renal markers, and overall metabolic parameters compared to the Mediterranean diet at the 16-week follow up. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a low-carbohydrate diet may be more effective than a Mediterranean diet in promoting weight loss and improving various metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in overweight/obese patients with T2DM. However, it is important to note that further research is needed to understand the clinical implications and long-term sustainability of these findings.

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“…The MD has been considered a beneficial dietary pattern by decreasing the risks of a variety of human disorders and pathological states, including metabolic disorders [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The MD, initially invented by Ancel Keys [ 6 ] in 1960, is a plant-based diet comprising high amounts of vegetables, fruits, legumes, wholegrain cereals, nuts and extra virgin olive oil, the moderate consumption of dairy products, seafoods and poultry, and the low intake of saturated fats and processed red meat products [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Christian Orthodox Fasting with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Serum Biochemical Indices: A Cross-Sectional Study on Patients with Metabolic Diseases

Rodopaios,

Poulios,

Papadopoulou

et al. 2024

Metabolites

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(1) Background: Christian Orthodox fasting, a type of time-restricted diet, which presents some similarities to the Mediterranean Diet, also including certain similarities with periodic vegetarianism or other time-restricted diets (e.g., intermittent diet and Ramadan fasting), may cumulatively be related to the same or even better beneficial healthy effects as these well-recognized dietary patterns. The present study aimed to explore the potential beneficial impact of Christian Orthodox fasting in patients with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus type 2, excessive obesity, hypothyroidism and osteoporosis. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, including 135 patients with metabolic disorders (67 fasters and 68 non-fasters). The enrolled fasters had adapted Christian Orthodox fasting recommendations for at least twelve consecutive years or even from childhood. Relevant questionnaires were used to record sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle data of the study population through face-to-face interviews between the enrolled individuals and qualified personnel during a non-fasting period. (3) Results: Christian Orthodox fasting patients showed a significantly and independently lower prevalence of overweight/obesity and abdominal obesity, which is highly associated with cardiometabolic disease risks, as well as a significantly and independently lower incidence of hypertension, including separately lower systolic and diastolic pressure, than non-fasting patients. Fasters also had a significantly and independently increased prevalence of an advanced educational level and no smoking history, as well as a lower incidence of sedentary behavior, and a trend of a correlation with reduced c-reactive protein (CRP), an indicator of inflammation, compared to non-fasters. Fasters also exhibited higher serum albumin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, as well as lower glucose levels, than non-fasters (4) Conclusions: This is one of the few cross-sectional studies demonstrating that Christian Orthodox fasting may promote metabolic health by improving several aspects of metabolic disorders, being associated with specific sociodemographic, anthropometric and lifestyle factors. Further studies conducted on larger sample sizes from different countries and different ethnicities that include Christian Orthodox fasters are recommended to evaluate the impact of long-term religious fasting effects on human health, either as a preventative factor reducing the risk of chronic diseases and especially cardiometabolic disorders or as a nutritional intervention to ameliorate symptom severity.

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Plant bioactive compounds from Mediterranean diet improve risk factors for metabolic syndrome

Cited by 7 publications

References 167 publications

Nutritional and Physiological Properties of Thymbra spicata: In Vitro Study Using Fecal Fermentation and Intestinal Integrity Models

Nutritional and Physiological Properties of Thymbra spicata: In Vitro Study Using Fecal Fermentation and Intestinal Integrity Models

Comparative Evaluation of a Low-Carbohydrate Diet and a Mediterranean Diet in Overweight/Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A 16-Week Intervention Study

Association of Christian Orthodox Fasting with Sociodemographic, Anthropometric and Lifestyle Factors and Serum Biochemical Indices: A Cross-Sectional Study on Patients with Metabolic Diseases

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