You may have read a lot about the nutritional and health claims of the Mediterranean diet (and other diets for that matter) touted by researchers, bloggers, journalists, and many others. The big question becomes: is anyone even listening?
A new paper from a group of researchers in Italy aimed to address this question, specifically focusing on whether these nutritional and
Photo by juliegomoll (Grocery shopping at the HyperMart in Cairo) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commonshealth claims are actually of interest to consumers, and if they are, which types of consumers are interested.
This was a relatively small pilot study, doing face-to-face interviews with 240 individuals who were in charge of the grocery shopping for their household in Milan, Italy.
As we get older, our risk of cardiovascular problems increases, particularly in the form of endothelial function and microvascular
Photo by Anne Brown Rodgers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commonsstrength and integrity. Part of the story is age, while another part might be related to diet, exercise, and other lifestyle choices.
One recent study out of the UK examined whether or not this decline in endothelial function and microvascular integrity could be reversed when combining exercise and the Mediterranean diet for a total of 8 weeks. This study followed up with participants after one year, to determine if this improvement in cardiac function remained, or if when transitioning back to their pre-study diets their risk for declining endothelial and microvascular health once again increased to their pre-study levels.
This study measured various outcomes related to endothelial function and microvascular integrity on 20 individuals aged 55 and older. In the original study, half the participants participated in a specific exercise regime, while the other half was put on a specific Mediterranean diet plan and did the same exercise regime as the first group, all for 8 weeks.
One year later, the same outcomes related to endothelial function and microvascular integrity were measured on these 20 individuals.
Photo by Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsImportant Findings:
![Photo by juliegomoll (Grocery shopping at the HyperMart in Cairo) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://french-paradox.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/olives_Spinneys_HyperMarket_grocery_Cairo_french-paradox.jpg)
![Photo by Anne Brown Rodgers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://french-paradox.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Older_adult_exercise_with_tin_can-french-paradox.jpg)
![Photo by Bill Branson (Photographer) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://french-paradox.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/older-women-stretching-french-paradox.jpg)
