Increased Functional Foods’ Consumption and Mediterranean Diet Adherence May Have a Protective Effect in the Appearance of Gastrointestinal Diseases: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have suggested a possible correlation between nutritional factors and gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: A case–control study was designed in order to investigate if functional foods consumption and Mediterranean diet adherence have a positive effect in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. In total, 142 patients (cases) and 147 gender-matched healthy people (controls) participated in the study. Functional food consumption was screened by using a Food Frequency Questionnaire based on the NHANES study, while Mediterranean diet adoption was evaluated by a 14-item Med Diet Assessment tool based on the PREDIMED study. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS-22. Results: In the previous 2–3 years, the controls had more frequently consumed some categories (probiotics, prebiotics-enriched, and low-fat foods) and some kinds of functional foods (mountain tea, berries, pomegranate, oats, mastics, turmeric, soybeans, and raisins) compared to the cases (p < 0.05). Healthy people were more adherent to the Mediterranean diet than patients (p < 0.05). A multifactor analysis showed that the augmented score of the Mediterranean diet and the augmented consumption of categories and kinds of functional foods were protective factors in the appearance of gastrointestinal diseases. Conclusions: More studies should be conducted in order to further investigate the possible association between specific food components and gastrointestinal diseases’ pathophysiology.

Mediterranean Diet Adherence is Associated with Lower Prevalence of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children and Adolescents

“…Regarding the potential association of MD adherence with FGIDs, data in adults support a beneficial effect of the MD on the onset of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients with GI disease, both organic (inflammatory bowel disease) and functional (IBS, functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux) [35]. A case-control study in adult patients with ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, IBS, or gastroesophageal reflux, showed that consumption of functional foods, including probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc., and adherence to the MD was lower in patients than in controls [36]. A study from Southern Italy by Zito et al [37] investigated the association between adherence to the MD and onset of symptoms in adults with functional dyspepsia or IBS.…”

Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds: A Review of Its Possible Role on Weight Management and Obesity’s Metabolic Consequences

“…However, nutritional and health claims about the possible effect of functional foods on disease prevention has been established only in specific situations, when sufficient scientific data ensure their properties. Furthermore, the scientific research concludes that functional foods may have beneficial effects in human health only if they are part of a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet [7,8,9].…”

Association between Serum Lipid Levels in Greek Children with Dyslipidemia and Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Dietary Habits, Lifestyle and Family Socioeconomic Factors

“…The Mediterranean diet has also been recognized as a possible protective factor in the prevention of CAD. This diet is characterized by high consumption of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, cereals, fishes and low consumption of meat and saturated fats [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Several studies have concluded that specific functional foods of the Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect against atherosclerotic process and thus CAD development.…”