Scientific evidence of interventions using the Mediterranean diet: a systematic review.

摘要

Experimental studies on the Mediterranean diet and disease prevention are reviewed. 43 articles corresponding to 35 different studies were selected. Results were analysed for the effects of the Mediterranean diet on lipoproteins, endothelial resistance, diabetes, antioxidative capacity, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, body composition and psychological function. The Mediterranean diet had beneficial effects on lipoprotein levels, endothelium vasodilatation, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, antioxidant capacity, myocardial and cardiovascular mortality and cancer incidence in obese patients and in those with previous myocardial infarction. Most of the scientific evidence for the Mediterranean diet was from observational studies and personalized reviews. Results highlight the weaknesses in research on the Mediterranean diet and stress the need for further clinical trials and objective systematic reviews to form the basis for recommendations relating to the diet. [This paper was presented at the 5th Nestle Nutrition Conference entitled 'Prevention of nutrition-related chronic diseases: scientific foundations and community interventions' held at Mexico City, Mexico on the 7-8 Oct. 2004.]