Mediterranean Diet Reduces Visceral Fat.
Study Overview:
Researchers conducted an 18-month randomized controlled trial, titled Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial PoLyphenols UnproceSsed (DIRECT-PLUS), which investigated the impact of different dietary strategies on visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which is the fat that accumulates around the abdominal organs. The study focused on the effects of the Mediterranean (MED) diet, known for its rich content of beneficial polyphenols, and a more specialized version, the green-MED diet, enhanced with additional polyphenols and reduced red/processed meat intake.
Methods:
In the trial, 294 participants were divided into three groups: (A) a group following healthy dietary guidelines (HDG), (B) a group consuming a standard Mediterranean diet (MED), and (C) a group consuming a green-MED diet. All participants were also asked to incorporate physical activity into their routines. Both MED and green-MED diet groups were given a daily intake of 28g of walnuts, which provided an additional 440 mg of polyphenols. The green-MED group was given a higher polyphenol intake with green tea (3-4 cups per day) and Wolffia globosa, a type of duckweed, in the form of a plant-based shake (100 g frozen cubes per day), adding up to 800 mg more polyphenols per day. This group also reduced their red meat consumption. The abdominal fat tissues of the participants were assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Findings:
The study had a high retention rate of 89.8% and 79.3% of participants completed the MRI examinations. Participants in both MED diet groups showed moderate weight and waist circumference reduction, but the green-MED diet led to twice the loss of VAT compared to the other groups. Factors contributing to greater VAT loss included increased consumption of green tea, walnuts, and Wolffia globosa; reduced intake of red meat; higher total plasma polyphenols, particularly hippuric acid; and increased levels of the polyphenol metabolite, urolithin A, in the urine.
Conclusion:
The study concluded that a green-MED diet, with a high intake of plant-based polyphenols and a lower consumption of red/processed meat, could be a powerful strategy for reducing visceral adiposity. This research highlights the potential role of diet, especially one that is rich in polyphenols, in managing body weight and promoting abdominal fat loss, which is critical for overall health and well-being.
BHRT promotes improved metabolic fitness by reminding your body what's missing but positive changes in consumption and activity magnify and expedite the response. Jason & Rita...aka Dr. De Leon and Dr. Gillespie
