Impact of mediterranean diet promotion on environmental sustainability: a longitudinal analysis

OBJECTIVE

This article aims to estimate the differences in environmental impact (greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions, land use, energy used, acidification and potential eutrophication) after one year of promoting a Mediterranean diet (MD).

METHODS

Baseline and 1-year follow-up data from 5800 participants in the PREDIMED-Plus study were used. Each participant's food intake was estimated using validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and the adherence to MD using the Dietary Score. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The influence of diet on environmental impact was assessed through the EAT-Lancet Commission tables. The association between MD adherence and its environmental impact was calculated using adjusted multivariate linear regression models.

RESULTS

After one year of intervention, the kcal/day consumed was significantly reduced (-125,1 kcal/day), adherence to a MD pattern was improved (+0,9) and the environmental impact due to the diet was significantly reduced (GHG: -361 g/CO2-eq; Acidification:-11,5 g SO2-eq; Eutrophication:-4,7 g PO4-eq; Energy use:-842,7 kJ; and Land use:-2,2 m2). Higher adherence to MD (high vs. low) was significantly associated with lower environmental impact both at baseline and one year follow-up. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the factors analysed, both at baseline and at one-year follow-up, in spite of the reduction observed in their consumption.

CONCLUSIONS

A program promoting a MD, after one year of intervention, significantly reduced the environmental impact in all the factors analysed. Meat products had the greatest environmental impact in all the dimensions analysed.

[Hernia hiatal. Detection of gastroesophageal reflux with the telemetric Heidelberg capsule]

120 patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were studied and submitted to gastric secretory tests, upper gastrointestinal X-rays and endoscopy. Gastroesophageal reflux was assessed by means of a Heidelberg telemetric capsule. 60 patients had hiatal hernia. Gastroesophageal reflux was present in 63.33%. 76% of the patients with hiatal hernia had gastroesophageal reflux, especially on those with small hernias and on the 5th and 6th decade of life. Gastric hiperacidity facilitates the incidence and presence of reflux. X-rays and endoscopy allowed us to diagnose diseases at the gastroesophageal junction. The correlation between these 2 methods and the presence or not of reflux, allowed differentiation between patients with organic diseases and patients with "functional" symptoms.

[The effect of the combination pramiverine/metamizole in colic pain (author's transl)]

A combination of 4,4-diphenyl-N-isopropyl-cyclohexylamine-hydrochloride (pramiverine, Sistalgin) and N-methyl-N-(2,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1-phenyl-3-pyrazolin-4-yl)-aminomethanesulfonate (metamizole) (Sistalgin comp.) was injected in 250 patients with severe colic pain. In 94% of the cases prompt relief from pain was observed. In addition to the reliable effect in colics of the gastrointestinal tract and the biliary duct, the high rate of success in colics of the urinary tracts should be mentioned. Good therapeutic results were also observed in pancreatitis. Only isolated cases of slight undesirable anticholinergic concomitant effects were noted. There was no effect on blood pressure and pulse rate.