The health benefits and practical considerations for the adoption of a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern

Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Breast Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Prospective Observational Studies

Background and Aim

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is widely recognized for its health benefits and potential protective effects against various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and cancer. This meta-analysis evaluates the association between MD adherence and breast cancer risk in women.

Methods

A comprehensive search of major databases was conducted until November 2024 to identify cohort or case-control studies. The meta-analysis employed a random-effects model to pool multivariable-adjusted effect sizes, reporting them as hazard ratios (HR) while evaluating heterogeneity using the I² statistic and assessing publication bias.

Results

The pooled analysis of 31 studies indicated a significant association between adherence to the MD and a 13% risk reduction in risk of breast cancer (HR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.82-0.92; I 2 = 70%). Specifically, postmenopausal women exhibited a 12% significant reduction in the risk of breast cancer (HR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.84, 0.92), while premenopausal women showed no significant effect (HR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.06). Geographically, the effect was most pronounced in Asia (OR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.68), while from America (OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.82, 1.02) and Europe (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.83, 0.97) showed moderate associations. Subgroup analysis suggested a stronger significant association in case-control studies (HR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.70, 0.85), whereas no significant association was observed in cohort studies (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.90, 1.02).

Conclusion

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a significant reduction in breast cancer risk, particularly among postmenopausal women and in regions such as Asia. These findings suggest that the Mediterranean diet may be an important dietary factor in reducing breast cancer risk, especially in certain populations. However, further research is needed to confirm its impact in different study designs and geographical areas.

Effects of Household Cooking on Mineral Composition and Retention in Widespread Italian Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The process of cooking food can result in alterations to its nutrient composition due to changes in water content and the destruction or loss of certain micronutrients that occur in response to heat. This study examined the impact of diverse cooking techniques, namely grilling, microwave, and steam, on the macronutrients and minerals of vegetables commonly utilized in Italian cuisine (two varieties of zucchini, eggplants, and potatoes).

METHODS

The proximate composition was determined according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) methods. The content of the minerals (Ca, K, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Zn, and Mn) was determined via ICP plasma after liquid washing.

RESULTS

Regarding macronutrients, the results revealed a notable difference in the carbohydrate profiles, whereas mineral retention demonstrated considerable heterogeneity. Some minerals, such as Na, Ca, Mn, and Fe, were found to be more prone to significant increases or losses. Moreover, the true retention factor (TR) calculations indicated that microwave cooking resulted in higher retention compared to the other methods for zucchini, while grilling demonstrated higher TR than microwave cooking for eggplants. Potatoes exhibited lower TR values than the other vegetables and their steaming resulted in higher retention than microwave cooking for K, P, Fe, and Zn.

CONCLUSIONS

The results confirm the heterogeneous behaviors of minerals in commonly consumed Italian vegetables subjected to different cooking methods. The data underscore the need for additional research to understand the effects of heat treatments on mineral profiles and to determine specific retention factors linked to various cooking techniques. The significant gap between "true" and "apparent" retention factors, caused by changes in water content during cooking, highlight the need for new experimental data to update and enrich the existing literature on this topic.

Adolescents with a Favorable Mediterranean-Style-Based Pattern Show Higher Cognitive and Academic Achievement: A Cluster Analysis-The Cogni-Action Project

A Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has emerged as a crucial dietary choice, not only in attenuating various adolescents' metabolic health issues but it has also been associated with improved cognitive and academic achievement. However, few studies have established patterns of food consumption linked to both cognitive and academic achievement in adolescents living in a developing country with non-Mediterranean-based food. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1296 Chilean adolescents (50% girls) aged 10-14 years. The MedDiet Quality Index was used to assess adherence to the MedDiet in children and adolescents. Through cluster analysis, four distinct dietary patterns were identified: Western diet (WD = 4.3%); low fruit and vegetables, high-sugar diet (LFV-HSD = 28.2%); low fruit and vegetables, low-sugar diet (LFV-LSD = 42.2%); and the MedDiet (25.3%). A mixed-model analysis was conducted to compare these clusters and their relationships with cognitive and academic achievements. Principal component analysis was performed to identify four primary cognitive domains: working memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, and fluid reasoning. Academic achievement was determined with five school subjects (Language, English, Mathematics, Science, and History) and included the Academic-PISA score derived from the mean scores in Language, Mathematics, and Science. Results: A marked difference was observed between the four clusters, which was mainly related to the consumption of sugar, ultra-processed foods, fruits, and vegetables. According to cognitive performance, the MedDiet group showed higher performance across all domains than the LFV-HSD, LFV-LSD, and WD groups. Regarding academic achievement, the WD underperformed in all analyses compared to the other groups, while the MedDiet was the unique profile that achieved a positive difference in all academic subjects compared to the WD and LFV-HSD groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that higher adherence to Mediterranean-style-based patterns and better food quality choices are associated with improved cognitive and academic achievements.