Unraveling the Mediterranean Diet
Tue, April 7, 2009 at 02:00AM People living in Mediterranean-bordering countries have a lower likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease than those from the northern parts of Europe – hence the nutritionist’s enthusiasm for the so-called Mediterranean Diet. A new study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition may help explain how two factors in the diet – wine and fish – act synergistically to provide protection against cardiovascular disease. The study examined whether Italian dietary habits persisted in Italian mineworkers who immigrated to Belgium, often marrying Belgian women.
The study examined 802 married couples aged 26 to 65, from Italy, Belgium, and England. The researchers used a one-year recall food frequency questionnaire to evaluate dietary and drinking habits. Blood was taken from all participants to measure omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentanoic acid [EPA] and docosahexanoic acid [DHA]).
Alcohol intake was associated with higher blood levels of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids (those found in fish); the association was stronger for wine drinkers than beer or spirit drinkers. The researchers suggest that it may not be alcohol that produces this effect, but other components in wine, such as polyphenol antioxidants. It’s possible, perhaps, that these antioxidants protect the fatty acids from degradation by oxidation.
Whatever the exact mechanism (which will certainly be the focus of further studies), it seems that taking a glass or two of wine with your fish is a good idea.
Reader Comments (1)
I have been desperately trying to find reference to a magazine article I read not long ago in a waiting room, where it compared 7 countries and one type of food relevant to that country and the low disease level pertaining to that country because of that one food. I have googled every which way and can't find the exact article. It was something like take 1 spoon of virgin olive oil belonging to Greece for the heart. 1 spoon of cinnamon belonging to India for diabetes. I wish I could remember the 7 foods and the 7 countries and the 7 diseases. Can anyone shed anymore light on this for me with the complete summary?