The Mediterranean diet might hold the key to effectively combatting abdominal fat.
According to a recent study conducted by the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea-Plus (PREDIMED-Plus) research group, the Mediterranean diet, when combined with physical activity, has the potential to counteract age-related changes in the body, such as the accumulation of fat and the loss of muscle mass.
This study, which was published in JAMA Network Open on October 18, initially aimed to investigate whether the Mediterranean diet could help prevent cardiovascular disease. However, a subgroup of participants was also examined to assess the diet’s impact on body composition over a three-year period.
The findings of the study indicated that adopting a reduced-calorie Mediterranean diet and incorporating more physical activity into one’s lifestyle seemed to mitigate the age-related weight gain and muscle loss. The study involved 1,521 middle-aged and older individuals, many of whom were either overweight or dealing with obesity and metabolic syndrome. the key to effectively
The initial cohort adhered to a Mediterranean diet, simultaneously reducing their calorie consumption by 30% and boosting their level of physical activity.
The second group adhered strictly to a Mediterranean diet without any alterations in calorie intake or physical activity. The Mediterranean diet
During the three-year study, individuals in the first group witnessed notable and “clinically meaningful” transformations in their body composition, as indicated by the research team.
This encompassed a remarkable 5% or more enhancement in fat mass reduction, a decrease in visceral (abdominal) fat mass, and the loss of lean muscle mass within just one year of adopting the diet.
Fox News Digital sought a statement from the researchers.
Nutritionist and registered dietitian Ilana Muhlstein, who had no involvement in the study, shared her insights with Fox News Digital. She mentioned that the Mediterranean diet has long been heralded as the “healthiest diet globally.” She further noted, “Although that may hold true, it’s somewhat arbitrary advice for a healthcare professional to dispense to the average person.”