Mediterranean diet improves heart health for kids too, study reveals

July 12, 2024Diet

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The Mediterranean diet has been a hit with doctors and dieters for years. Studies show that it’s one of the healthier diets around, especially for people with chronic health problems or those at risk for heart disease. But what about groups that don’t usually think about dieting and are in pretty good shape — like children? Well, an international team has found that children and teens who ate more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats had better cholesterol levels and blood pressure compared to kids with less healthy eating habits.

The Mediterranean diet has long been praised for its health benefits in adults, but there have been fewer studies about how it affects younger people. This eating pattern emphasizes olive oil, nuts, fish, legumes, and plenty of fresh produce while limiting red meat, sweets, and processed foods. Now, evidence in JAMA Network Open reveals that these foods may also protect children’s cardiovascular health from an early age.

Scientists conducted a comprehensive review of nine previous studies involving 577 children between the ages of three and 18. The studies tested Mediterranean diet interventions lasting between eight and 40 weeks. Some focused on overweight or obese youth, while others included children with prediabetes or those who were generally healthy.

The results were promising. On average, kids following a Mediterranean-style eating plan saw their systolic blood pressure (the top number) drop by almost five points. They also had lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and “bad” LDL cholesterol circulating in their blood. At the same time, their “good” HDL cholesterol increased slightly.

These changes may seem small, but they could have big implications for long-term heart health. High blood pressure and cholesterol in childhood have a link to increased risk of heart disease later in life. By improving these markers early on, a Mediterranean diet might help set kids up for better cardiovascular health as adults.

So what is it about this diet that makes it so heart-healthy? The Mediterranean diet is rich in nutrients that support cardiovascular function. Olive oil and nuts provide healthy monounsaturated fats. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains offer fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Fish supplies omega-3 fatty acids. Together, these foods create an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and help regulate cholesterol levels.

Importantly, the Mediterranean diet is also low in foods that can harm heart health. It limits saturated fats from red meat and full-fat dairy, as well as added sugars and highly processed items. This may be especially beneficial for overweight children, who often consume too many of these less healthy options.

The study authors note that their findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy eating habits early in life. School-based programs or family interventions focused on Mediterranean-style eating could be valuable tools for optimizing kids’ heart health.

Methodology

This study used a systematic review and meta-analysis to make its findings. Essentially, the researchers gathered all the high-quality studies they could find on Mediterranean diet interventions in kids and combined their results. They searched four major scientific databases to find relevant papers published up to April 2024.

To be included, studies had to be randomized controlled trials (the gold standard of medical research) testing Mediterranean diet interventions in people 18 or younger. The researchers then extracted data on various heart health markers like blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They used statistical techniques to pool the results across studies and calculate the average effect of the diet on each marker.

Key Results

After crunching the numbers, here’s what the researchers found:

Systolic blood pressure dropped by about 4.75 points on average
Triglycerides decreased by about 16.4 mg/dL
Total cholesterol went down by about 9 mg/dL
“Bad” LDL cholesterol decreased by about 10.5 mg/dL
“Good” HDL cholesterol increased by about 2.2 mg/dL

There were no significant changes in diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar, or insulin levels.

Study Limitations

First, it included relatively few studies with small sample sizes, which can make the results less reliable. The interventions also varied in length and specific approach, making it harder to pinpoint exactly what worked best.

Additionally, most studies were conducted in Mediterranean countries, so the results might not apply equally to all populations. Finally, the researchers noted signs of potential publication bias for some outcomes, meaning positive results may have been overrepresented.

Discussion & Takeaways

The authors conclude that Mediterranean diet interventions show promise for improving heart health markers in children and adolescents. They suggest these diets could be a useful tool for optimizing cardiovascular health from a young age. However, they also call for more high-quality studies, especially in non-Mediterranean countries, to confirm and expand on these findings.

The results underscore the importance of promoting healthy eating habits early in life. Even modest improvements in diet quality during childhood could potentially have long-lasting benefits for heart health. As rates of childhood obesity and related health issues continue to rise globally, interventions based on Mediterranean dietary principles may offer a tasty and effective way to protect kids’ cardiovascular health.

StudyFinds sets out to find new research that speaks to mass audiences — without all the scientific jargon. The stories we publish are digestible, summarized versions of research that are intended to inform the reader as well as stir civil, educated debate. StudyFinds Staff articles are AI assisted, but always thoroughly reviewed and edited by a Study Finds staff member. Read our AI Policy for more information.

Source: Study Finds