Share
This week on the Olive Health Information System website
The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is known for its health benefits and has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases. In addition, its nutrient-rich composition can have a positive effect on breastfeeding, benefiting both maternal health and breast milk quality. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats (especially olive oil) and lean proteins such as fish, which are essential for providing essential nutrients during lactation. This article examines the importance of these nutrients during lactation, focusing on maternal health and infant growth. The study examines the impact of the MD on maternal nutrition and its association with infant outcomes. It involved 167 mother-infant dyads from the ABC Baby study, focusing on the maternal diet questionnaire at 2 weeks or 2 months postpartum. Key findings revealed that a higher maternal MD score, particularly with higher fruit and fish intake, was correlated with lower flank skinfold thickness in infants. Conversely, higher consumption of red and processed meat was associated with lower weight-for-age and length-for-age Z scores, while higher consumption of nuts and seeds was associated with better weight-for-length scores. Overall, the study suggests that maternal adherence to an MD may positively influence infant growth and body composition and highlights the need for further research into the relationship between maternal diet, human milk composition and infant health outcomes.
Despite the many well-studied benefits of the MD, in recent years ultra-processed foods (UPF) have been gaining ground because of their short preparation time and price. The PROMENADE study investigates the role of the MD and how it can be impacted by the inclusion of UPF. The study, which follows a crossover design, evaluates participants with overweight over two 3-month periods, alternating between a MD high in UPF and one low in UPF. The aim is to better understand how food quality impacts both metabolic health and ecological outcomes. Both diets were balanced in energy, but the study found that the low-UPF MD provided greater metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits. This highlights that while the MD itself is beneficial, the quality of the food, specifically avoiding ultra-processed options, is crucial for maximizing its positive effects. The conclusions emphasize that minimizing UPF is important not only for improving metabolic health but also for reducing the environmental footprint, aligning with the sustainability goals often associated with the Mediterranean diet.
Click HERE to see the latest posts…
