A Mediterranean diet lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function: results from the MedLey randomized intervention trial ,

Abstract

Background: The consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. However, its impact on blood pressure and endothelial function is not clear. Objective: We sought to determine the effects of adhering to the consumption of a MedDiet for 6 mo on blood pressure and endothelial function in older, healthy Australians. Design: A total of 166 men and women aged .64 y were allocated via minimization to consume either a MedDiet (n = 85) or their habitual diet (HabDiet; control: n = 81) for 6 mo. The MedDiet comprised mainly plant foods, abundant extra-virgin olive oil, and minimal red meat and processed foods. A total of 152 participants commenced the study, and 137 subjects completed the study. Home blood pressure was measured on 5 consecutive days at baseline (n = 149) and at 3 and 6 mo. Endothelial function (n = 82) was assessed by flow-meditated dilatation (FMD) at baseline and 6 mo. Dietary intake was monitored with the use of 3-d weighed food records. Data were analyzed with the use of linear mixed-effects models to determine adjusted between-group differences. Results: The MedDiet adherence score increased significantly in the MedDiet group but not in the HabDiet group (P , 0.001). The MedDiet, compared with the HabDiet, resulted in lower systolic blood pressure (P-diet 3 time interaction = 0.02) [mean: 21.3 mm Hg (95% CI: 22.2, 20.3 mm Hg; P = 0.008) at 3 mo and 21.1 mm Hg (95% CI: 22.0, 20.1 mm Hg; P = 0.03) at 6 mo]. At 6 mo, the percentage of FMD was higher by 1.3% (95% CI: 0.2%, 2.4%; P = 0.026) in the MedDiet group. Conclusion: Australian men and women who consumed a MedDiet for 6 mo had small but significantly lower systolic blood pressure and improved endothelial function. This trial was registered at www.anzctr.org.au as ACTRN12613000602729.Am J Clin Nutr 2017;105:1305-13.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Diseases: Benefits for Human Health

“…In long-term studies on subjects at high cardiovascular risk, after supplemented EVOO MeDiet, the blood pressure values, both systolic and diastolic, are reduced [35,37,38]. The same results were recorded in a two-year study (2 years) on subjects with metabolic syndrome [48].…”

“…If after the short-term intervention with EVOO the comparison between groups reached statistical significance neither for sE-selectin and sP-selectin nor for ICAM-1 [34], Casas et al, [26] after 1 year of intervention with EVOO highlighted a decrease of soluble adhesion molecules such as P-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Moreover, increased flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) [35], internal carotid intima-media thickness and plaque height [36] measurements proved the ability of the MeDiet supplemented with EVOO to improve endothelial function. NO loss or reduction is associated with endothelial dysfunction.…”

Physiological effects of a short-term lifestyle intervention based on the Mediterranean diet: comparison between older and younger healthy, sedentary adults

“…It is well established that maintaining NO at adequate levels can reduce risk of CVD as reduced bioavailability of NO leads to a loss of cardio-protective actions and may even elevate the progression of CVD [30]. This is consistent with previous literature in which an increase in endothelial function was observed following the MD [2,12,31]. This suggests that diet is a potential mechanism to improve endothelial function in the younger population.…”

Older Australians Can Achieve High Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet during a 6 Month Randomised Intervention; Results from the Medley Study

“…Fifty eight per cent were female in the MedDiet group, 54% in the control group. Baseline demographic information has been published elsewhere [31]. Table 1 shows the baseline characteristics for carotenoids, erythrocyte fatty acids and urinary metabolites.…”