Mediterranean Diet Benefits Cardiovascular System

ATHENS, Greece--Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with higher total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (82, 3:694-699, 2005).

Researchers assessed adherence to the Mediterranean diet using a food frequency questionnaire and measured TAC in a random sample of 1,514 men and 1,528 women aged 18 to 89 years from the Attica area of Greece. Participants in the highest tertile of adherence to the Mediterranean diet had, on average, 11-percent higher TAC levels and 19-percent lower oxidized LDL cholesterol concentrations than participants in the lowest tertile, even after adjustment for confounding factors. Additional analysis suggested TAC was positively correlated with intake of olive oil, fruit and vegetables, and inversely associated with consumption of red meat.

The researchers concluded adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with elevated TAC levels and low oxidized LDL cholesterol concentrations, which may explain the beneficial role of this diet on the cardiovascular system.

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