Mediterranean diet lowers risk of metabolic syndrome
18 March 2011
Sticking closely to the 'Mediterranean diet' would have a considerable impact on slowing the progression of metabolic syndrome, a study suggests.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes. These conditions include abdominal obesity, raised blood triglyceride and fasting glucose levels, and high blood pressure.
Eating a diet rich in olive oil, fish, fruits, vegetables and wholegrains was associated with a lower prevalence and progression of metabolic syndrome, according to an analysis of 50 studies with more than half a million participants (J Am Coll Cardiol 2011; 57: 1299-313).
Researchers found a 31 per cent reduction in metabolic syndrome risk in people who stuck to the diet, which also benefited the individual components of metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, lipids, glucose metabolism and blood pressure levels.
Last Reviewed: 18 March 2011
- 1. Kastorini CM, Milionis HJ, Esposito K, et al. The effect of mediterranean diet on metabolic syndrome and its components a meta-analysis of 50 studies and 534,906 individuals. J Am Coll Cardiol 2011;57: 1299-313. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=J+Am+Coll+Cardiol[Jour]+AND+1299[page]+AND+2011[pdat]&cmd=detailssearch (accessed Mar 2011).
