An almond-enriched diet increases plasma α-tocopherol and improves vascular function but does not affect oxidative stress markers or lipid levels
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Vascular dysfunction is one of the major causes of cardiovascular (CV) mortality and increases with age. Epidemiological studies suggest that Mediterranean diets and high nut consumption reduce CV disease risk and mortality while increasing plasma α-tocopherol. Therefore, we have investigated whether almond supplementation can improve oxidative stress markers and CV risk factors over 4 weeks in young and middle-aged men. Healthy middle-aged men (56 ± 5.8 years), healthy young men (22.1 ± 2.9 years) and young men with two or more CV risk factors (27.3 ± 5 years) consumed 50 g almond/day for 4 weeks. A control group maintained habitual diets over the same period. Plasma α-tocopherol/cholesterol ratios were not different between groups at baseline and were significantly elevated by almond intervention with 50 g almond/day for 4 weeks (p < 0.05). Plasma protein oxidation and nitrite levels were not different between groups whereas, total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterols and triglycerides were significantly higher in healthy middle-aged and young men with CV risk factors but were not affected by intake. In the almond-consuming groups, flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) improved and systolic blood pressure reduced significantly after 50 g almonds/day for 4 weeks, but diastolic blood pressure reduced only in healthy men. In conclusion, a short-term almond-enriched diet can increase plasma α-tocopherol and improve vascular function in asymptomatic healthy men aged between 20 and 70 years without any effect on plasma lipids or markers of oxidative stress.Keywords:
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This review outlines the limitations of current techniques for evaluating the Mediterranean diet in Mediterranean versus non-Mediterranean populations. Differences between the two populations with regard to the foods that are available, food processing and preparation techniques, and eating and lifestyle habits may influence the implementation and effects of a Mediterranean diet in non-Mediterranean regions. For example, the composition of food groups may vary significantly, due to differences in the specific foods within a food group and to differences in aspects of food production and preparation. Notable differences between the diets of Mediterranean versus non-Mediterranean populations include the source of monounsaturated fatty acids (olive oil versus meat), the amount of vegetables consumed and their manner of preparation, the source of alcohol (wine versus other) and the pattern of intake, and the types of meat and dairy products consumed. Lifestyle factors such as meal patterns and exposure to sunlight may also act as confounding factors when the overall benefits of a Mediterranean diet are assessed. Improving the calculation of Mediterranean diet scores and measuring plasma nutrient levels may help mitigate the effects of confounders. These considerations could have important health implications when a Mediterranean diet is implemented by non-Mediterranean populations.
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The relationship between endothelial dysfunction and hypertension is a close one.On one hand,endothelial dysfunction may promote the occurrence and the development of hypertension.On the other hand,hypertension may induce endothelial dysfunction,and aggravate it.This article reviews the physiological function of vascular endothelial cells,the correlation factor of endothelial dysfunction,the relations of endothelial dysfunction with hypertension,the detection methods of the endothelial function,and the recovery of the endothelial dysfunction.
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In Brief The Mediterranean diet has been of interest since the Seven Countries Study was performed in the 1960s. Benefits of the Mediterranean diet for the reduction of cardiovascular disease (specifically coronary heart disease) have been demonstrated in observational and interventional studies. Some also believe that the Mediterranean diet has comparable effect and is more palatable than the low-fat diet commonly recommended by many cardiologists. This review discusses the evidence of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet on prevention of cardiovascular disease and compares the effects of the Mediterranean diet to that of the low-fat diet The Mediterranean Diet has some good things for the heart
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Abstract Introduction Knowledge about factors associated with multi-morbidity in a given population has important implications for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis strategies. Objectives To examine the association of Mediterranean diet with multi-morbidity in the adult general population of Cyprus. Methods A representative sample of n = 1142 Cypriots over 18 years old was recruited during 2018-2019. Multi-morbidity was assessed using a validated questionnaire and diseases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the MedDiet score tool which included the weekly consumption of non-refined cereals, fruit, vegetables, legumes, potatoes, fish, meat and meat products, poultry, full fat dairy products, as well as olive oil and alcohol intake. Results The average Mediterranean diet score was 15.5 ± 4.0 with males adhering more to the Mediterranean diet compared to females (p < 0.001). Being in the higher tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with lower odds of multi-morbidity at α = 0.10, even after adjusting for age, gender, educational status, smoking habits, and physical activity (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.49, 1.06, p = 0.09), compared to the lower tertile. Conclusions To the best to our knowledge, this is the first study which provides evidence of an association between Mediterranean diet and multi-morbidity. Adherence to Mediterranean diet was associated with lower risk of multi-morbidity. Future prevention programs and practice guidelines in Cyprus and elsewhere should take into account the beneficial effects of a Mediterranean diet on multi-morbidity. Key messages This study provides the first evidence of an association between Mediterranean diet and multi-morbidity. health benefits in terms of multiple chronic diseases in an individual can be gained from Mediterranean diet pattern.
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Research has shown a significant benefit upon adoption of the Mediterranean diets and lifestyle elements in everyday life. Consumption of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle concept is associated with longer life span and lower coronary diseases incidence. Therefore, Mediterranean diet can be recently found even in hospital menus. The secret of its success is in low saturated fatty acids content of the consumed food that is rich in good unsaturated fatty acids, fibres and phytochemicals. However, every Mediterranean country has its own Mediterranean diet characteristics.
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WHAT IS THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET?The Mediterranean diet has been well accepted as a healthy diet and lifestyle (1–4). In his Seven Countries Study, Ancel Keys, Ph.D., a physiologist from the United States, was the first to describe the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle among those who lived around the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean diets are high in bioactive compounds (e.g., carotenoids and polyphenols) due to the high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts (5). They all contribute to a high antioxidant intake, leading to lower systemic inflammation (6). In addition to a high intake of fruits, vegetables, and grains, individuals who consume the Mediterranean diet consume about 20% of their energy from protein, with most of the protein derived from fish, with a small percentage from meat (1). As mentioned in the first sentence above, the Mediterranean diet is not just a diet but a lifestyle, where physical activity is part of a person’s day (e.g., harvesting olives, walking to the market, etc.). Although the Mediterranean diet has been shown to help with weight loss (7), there has been a relative paucity of research conducted on the Mediterranean diet and athletic performance. THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE Cobo-Cuenca et al. (8) determined adherence to the Mediterranean diet using the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). In this cross-sectional study, they evaluated adherence to the Mediterranean diet with body composition, handgrip strength, standing long jump, and cardiorespiratory fitness measures in 310 first-year Spanish university students.Only 24% of students had good adherence to the Mediterranean diet based on the MEDAS. Those who adhered to the Mediterranean diet had significantly greater hand grip strength (P = 0.005) and cardiorespiratory fitness (P = 0.017) compared with those who had medium and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. They reported that consuming >2 vegetables per day (P < 0.001), consuming ≥3 fruits per day (P < 0.001), using olive oil (P = 0.021), and consuming <3 commercial sweets/week (P < 0.001) were all associated with high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Baker et al. (9) evaluated if consuming the Mediterranean diet for a short term would improve endurance exercise performance compared with the typical Western diet. Seven recreationally active women and four men, 28 ± 3 years of age, with a body mass index of 24.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2, were randomly assigned to either the Mediterranean diet or the Western diet (each person received each of the diets in random order). They were on each diet for 4 days. There was a 9- to 16-day washout period between the two diets. Endurance exercise performance was evaluated with a 5-km treadmill time trial. Anaerobic exercise performance was assessed using the Wingate cycle test, a vertical jump test, and hand grip dynamometry. The participants ran a significantly faster 5-km when they consumed the Mediterranean diet compared with the Western diet (27.09 ± 3.55 vs. 28.59 ± 3.21, respectively; *P = 0.030). There were no significant differences in heart rate (P = 0.0941) or ratings of perceived exertion (P = 0.356) between trials. In addition, there were no significant differences observed between the diet conditions for peak and mean power from the Wingate test (P > 0.05), the vertical jump test (P = 0.19), and the handgrip strength test (P = 0.69). These results demonstrate that consumption of the Mediterranean diet can be advantageous for exercise performance in the short term. More research is required to determine whether long-term consumption of the Mediterranean diet provides greater benefits and if it will benefit anaerobic exercise as well as muscle strength and power (9). More research is required to determine whether long-term consumption of the Mediterranean diet provides greater benefits and if it will benefit anaerobic exercise as well as muscle strength and power (9). Galan-Lopez et al. (10) evaluated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet with physical fitness factors and body composition in 917 adolescents, 13 to 16 years of age. They incorporated the Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (KIDMED) questionnaire to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet. They included the ALPHA-Fitness Test to assess physical fitness and body composition. They reported that those who had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet had significantly greater cardiovascular endurance compared with those who did not have good adherence. WAYS TO INCLUDE THE MEDITERRANEAN DIET INTO DAILY MEALS How can individuals incorporate the Mediterranean diet into their meals? Some ideas include consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables, by making smoothies or making fruit skewers. Use vegetables as a “container” (e.g., stuffed peppers with vegetables, rice). Include dates in the diet, which also may help to replace added sugars. Use the peels of fruits and vegetables (e.g., orange skins for flavor, or bake potato skins with olive oil and garlic). Consume one meatless meal a week. Increase whole grains by using whole grain bread or whole grain rice. Increase consumption of fish, including sardines, if possible. Small changes to the diet can lead to large gains in health and exercise performance. SUMMARY The Mediterranean diet has been a diet and lifestyle based in Mediterranean countries for years. It has been well established to help prevent chronic diseases and also can be effective with weight loss. With respect to exercise performance, it has been shown that consuming the Mediterranean diet can enhance performance. Recommending that athletes consume, or at least try to incorporate, the Mediterranean diet into their meals could lead to better performance and overall health.
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The stability of α‐tocopherol in stripped corn oils with or without added γ‐tocopherol was determined under different levels of relative humidity (RH) ranging from 0 to 93% at 60°C. The degree of oxidation was determined by the headspace oxygen content and conjugated dienoic acid (CDA) assays and the remaining α‐ and γ‐tocopherols were also analyzed. The stability of α‐tocopherol was significantly influenced by the presence of moisture, the concentration of α‐tocopherol, and the presence of γ‐tocopherol. Samples containing up to 100 ppm α‐tocopherol showed the lowest stability under 75% RH whereas those containing 200 ppm α‐tocopherol had the highest stability under 93% RH. Samples under 0% RH had the lowest α‐tocopherol stability in the presence of γ‐tocopherol. Generally, higher concentrations of γ‐tocopherol resulted in the retention of more α‐tocopherol in stripped bulk oils. Practical application: Tocopherol isomers are typical lipophilic antioxidants in oils. Many lipid‐rich foods contain tocopherol isomers to extend the shelf‐life of the products. The stability of α‐tocopherol was significantly influenced by the presence of moisture, the concentration of α‐tocopherol, and the presence of γ‐tocopherol. Generally, higher concentrations of γ‐tocopherol resulted in the retention of more α‐tocopherol in stripped bulk oils. Using the knowledge obtained in this study, shelf‐life of foods containing oils can be enhanced by modifying the moisture content and concentration and types of tocol isomers. Generally, α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol were more stable at RH 32% and RH 75%, respectively in stripped bulk oils.
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