Starchy Vegetables and Metabolic Syndrome in Costa Rica

Abstract

Only a few studies primarily examined the associations between starchy vegetables (other than potatoes) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). We aimed to evaluate the association between starchy vegetables consumption and MetS in a population-based sample of Costa Rican adults. We hypothesized that a higher overall intake of starchy vegetables would not be associated with higher MetS prevalence. In this cross-sectional study, log-binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) of MetS across quintiles of total, unhealthy, healthy starchy vegetables, and individual starchy vegetables (potatoes, purple sweet potatoes, etc.), among 1881 Costa Rican adults. Least square means and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from linear regression models were estimated for each MetS component by categories of starchy vegetable variables. Higher intakes of starchy vegetables were associated with a higher prevalence of MetS in crude models, but no significant trends were observed after adjusting for confounders. A significant inverse association was observed between total starchy and healthy starchy vegetables consumption and fasting blood glucose. In this population, starchy vegetables might be part of a healthy dietary pattern.

A prospective cohort study of starchy and non-starchy vegetable intake and mortality risk

“…We found a weak inverse association between total starchy vegetable intake and death risk, possibly because starchy vegetables provide important nutrients and bioactive compounds (38) such as carbohydrates, K, dietary fibre, vitamins, polyphenols and flavonoids. In accordance with our results, a recent study in Costa Rican adults found a significant inverse association between the consumption of starchy vegetables and fasting blood glucose (39) ; higher consumption of starchy vegetables during reproductive years decreased the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy among Tehranian women (40) . Similarly, moderate starchy vegetable intake was inversely associated with all-cause mortality in the China Health and Nutrition Survey (41) .…”

Joint Associations of Food Groups with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality in the Mr. OS and Ms. OS Study: A Prospective Cohort

“…Meanwhile, tomatoes are a source of lycopene, and meta-analyses suggest that it may have positive effects on blood lipids, blood pressure, and endothelial function [ 35 ], but the relationship with CVD prevention is still inconclusive [ 36 ]. For starchy vegetables, their role as part of a healthy dietary pattern is still under debate, because of its diversity in nutritional composition across populations [ 37 ]. It is notable that the individual effects of each food group was not significant in the Cox regression model.…”

Correlation of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin with Metabolic Syndrome in US Adults: Insights from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2016

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