Mediterranean Diet for Beginners by Maria A. Smith

Moreover, roasted versus raw pistachios seem to contain higher amounts of flavonoids and have better organoleptic properties. Pistachio consumption has also been associated with lowering postprandial glycaemia, improving oxidative stress and endothelial function. On the other hand, pistachios have higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, magnesium, lutein, phytosterols, xanthophyll, carotenoids and γ-tocopherol than other nuts. The production of EVOO only involves mechanical processing, minimally altering olives nutritional properties. As compared to other olive oils, EVOO has the highest content of phytochemicals. These are abundantly present in both EVOO (a rich source of phenolic acids, phenolic alcohols, secoiridoids, and flavonoids) and nuts (a rich source of phenols, carotenoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, proanthocyanidins and phytosterols). The MedDiet has been attributed a number of health benefits, mainly due to the presence of components such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and phytochemicals. The study was registered on September 27, 2013.

Trial registration: Identifier ISRCTN84389045. Therefore, it might be a potentially adequate diet for pregnant women. Conclusion: A MedDiet, enhanced with EVOO and nuts, was associated with a risk reduction of CMFOs in over 50% in normoglycemic pregnant women. Risk of urinary tract infections, emergency C-sections, perineal trauma, large-for-gestational-age and small-for gestational age new-borns were also significantly reduced. Results: Crude relative risk showed that the intervention was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of CMFOs (0.48 p = 0.0001), with a number-needed-to-treat = 5.

The primary outcome was a composite of maternofoetal outcomes (CMFOs): at least having 1 event of emergency C-section, perineal trauma, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, prematurity, large-for-gestational-age and small-for gestational-age.

They were randomized (at 8–12th gestational weeks) to: standard-care control group (337), where fat consumption was limited to 30% of total caloric intake or intervention group (360), where a MedDiet, enhanced with EVOO and pistachios (40–42% fats of total caloric intake) was recommended. Only normoglycemic women were analysed (697). Methods: This was a sub-analysis of the St Carlos gestational diabetes mellitus Prevention Study. Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), enhanced with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and nuts, on a composite of adverse maternofoetal outcomes of women with normoglycemia during pregnancy.

Mediterranean Diet for Beginners by Maria A. Smith