Mediterranean Alcohol-Drinking Patterns and All-Cause Mortality in Women More Than 55 Years Old and Men More Than 50 Years Old in the "Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra" (SUN) Cohort

Effect of the Mediterranean diet in cardiovascular prevention

The Mediterranean diet is the best evidence-based model for cardiovascular prevention. In addition to 2 major randomized secondary prevention trials (Lyon Heart and CORDIOPREV) and 1 primary prevention trial (PREDIMED) that have demonstrated these benefits, there is an unprecedented body of high-quality prospective epidemiological evidence supporting these beneficial effects. The key elements of this traditional pattern are the abundant use of extra-virgin olive oil and high consumption of foods of natural plant-based origin (fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes) and fish, along with a reduction in processed meats, red meats, and ultraprocessed products. Moderate consumption of wine, preferably red wine, with meals is an essential element of this traditional pattern. Although removing wine consumption from the Mediterranean diet has been associated with a reduction in its preventive efficacy, doubts have recently arisen about the possible adverse effect of even low or moderate intake of any alcoholic beverages. A new large Spanish trial, UNATI, which will begin in June 2024, will randomize 10 000 drinkers aged 50 to 75 years to abstention or moderate consumption. UNATI aims to answer these doubts with the best possible evidence.

High Adherence to a Mediterranean Alcohol-Drinking Pattern and Mediterranean Diet Can Mitigate the Harmful Effect of Alcohol on Mortality Risk

BACKGROUND

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance with deleterious effects on human health and mortality. This study aims to investigate the joint associations between the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), alcohol- consumption patterns and mortality from the following: all causes, cardiovascular, neoplastic, the digestive system, and other causes.

METHODS

A sample of 3411 alcohol consumers aged ≥18 years was selected from two prospective cohort studies: the MICOL and NUTRIHEP Study. Cohorts were enrolled in 2005-2006, and followed up until December 2022, capturing data on alcohol consumption, diet, and mortality. Adherence to the MedDiet was measured by the relative Mediterranean score (rMED), and alcohol consumption by the Mediterranean Alcohol-drinking Pattern index (MADP). Statistical analyses included flexible parametric survival models and subdistribution hazard ratios, to consider different causes of death.

RESULTS

a significant increase in digestive-system (SHR 2.77, 95% CI 1.16; 63) and cancer mortality risk (SHR 2.25, 95% CI 1.08; 4.70) was observed among individuals with low adherence to the MADP. Low adherence to the Mediterranean pattern of alcohol consumption, combined with low adherence to the MedDiet, was associated with higher overall mortality (HR 2.29, 95% CI 1.04, 5.04), and, in particular, with higher mortality from digestive system diseases (SHR 4.38, 95% CI 1.22, 15.8).

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that deleterious effects of alcohol on mortality vary, depending on alcohol consumption patterns and dietary context. Higher adherence to the MedDiet appears to mitigate the adverse effects of moderate alcohol consumption, particularly for wine drinkers.

Physical Health-Related Quality of Life in Relation to Mediterranean Diet Adherence in a Sample of Greek Asthma Patients: A Pilot Study

The role of nutrition in the management of asthma in obese patients is of increasing interest due to their limited response to inhaled corticosteroids. Some studies note that through diet and lifestyle, there can be an improvement in asthma control. The aim of the present study was to investigate the adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and its association with asthma severity and quality of life in patients with bronchial asthma. This is a cross-sectional study of 85 patients (70.6% female), with a mean age of 57 years, from the General University Hospital of Larissa and, more specifically, patients of the outpatient asthma clinic. Data were collected with the use of specific questionnaires. In relation to BMI, 12.9% of participants were of a normal weight, 45.9% were overweight, 25.9% were obese level I, 5.9% were obese level II, and 9.4% were in the morbidly obese range. Based on the Med Diet Score (ranging from 21 to 35), most participants (85.9%) reported moderate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Further analysis examined the correlations of the PCS-12 score with the frequency of consumption of each of the 11 food categories, as well as all demographic and health behavior variables. The ranked correlations indicated a significant relationship between PCS-12 score and Med Diet adherence and the consumption of alcoholic beverages (r = 0.437, p < 0.05), in accordance with the Mediterranean Diet suggestions, as well as a negative relationship with BMI score (r = -0.454, p < 0.010). Moreover, significant correlations were also present between the physical quality of life and AQLQ score and work type, as well as gender, age, and marital status. The results of our study showed a high rate of obesity in patients with asthma at the General University Hospital of Larissa and moderate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet. Increased BMI and alcoholic beverage consumption in asthma patients were significant predictors of lower physical health-related quality of life. In conclusion, personal and society-level interventions are required to effectively address obesity and poor diet in patients with asthma.