Mediterranean diet and the postprandial state: A focus on inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and hemostasis

Abstract The postprandial state is characterized by a net input of energy substrates and micronutrients and regulated in a complex neurohormonal milieu. Postprandial dysmetabolism (PD) can trigger, in a transient but daily fashion, proinflammatory, procoagulant mechanisms, and endothelial dysfunction. Since postprandial dysmetabolism is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with low CVD incidence, it sounds plausible that the cardioprotective properties of MD could also be attributed to its beneficial actions on PD. This review investigates the impact of the most effective/well-studied components of the MD, namely, olive oil, fish, wine, and nuts, on postprandial inflammation, hemostasis, and endothelial function. Despite the heterogeneity of the studies, there are promising results concerning the ability of those foods to restrain the activation of proinflammatory and procoagulant mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction. Whether this is another cardioprotective mechanism of MD requires further studies.