This week on OHIS

This week on the Olive Health Information System website

The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health

Emerging research continues to highlight the profound impact of diet quality on both cancer prevention and long-term survivorship. Two recent studies provide compelling evidence linking healthy dietary patterns to reduced risks of gastrointestinal cancers and cardiometabolic complications in breast cancer survivors.

On one hand, a large cohort study using NHANES 2005-2018 data found that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (measured through the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMED)) and adherence to healthy dietary patterns aligned with American dietary guidelines (assessed by the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2020)) were significantly associated with a lower risk of gastrointestinal cancers. Participants in the highest HEI-2020 tertile had a 30% reduced cancer risk, while those with the highest aMED scores experienced a 37% risk reduction. Mediation analysis suggested that serum albumin and uric acid levels might play a role in this relationship, reinforcing the link between diet, inflammation, and cancer prevention.

On the other hand, the Pathways Study investigated the impact of diet quality on cardiometabolic health among breast cancer survivors. Analyzing data from 3,415 breast cancer survivors over an average follow-up of 11.5 years, researchers found that higher HEI-2020 scores were strongly associated with a 30% lower risk of developing any cardiometabolic condition. Those who followed the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), the plant-based Healthy Provegetarian Diet, and the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines also experienced reduced risks, particularly for diabetes.

These studies reinforce the role of plant-based, anti-inflammatory diets rich in whole foods, healthy fats, and antioxidants in both cancer prevention and survivorship care. The Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes olive oil as a primary fat source, has consistently been associated with reduced inflammation, improved metabolic markers, and lower cancer risk. Given these findings, promoting adherence to olive oil-centered dietary patterns may be an effective strategy for enhancing both cancer prevention and post-diagnosis health outcomes.

Other articles mentioned this week in the OHIS newsletter:

Cancer

Impact of enhanced chest CT with three-dimensional reconstruction combined with preoperative olive oil administration on the incidence of postoperative chylothorax: a retrospective study.

Association between Healthy Eating Index-2020, alternative Mediterranean Diet scores, and gastrointestinal cancer risk in NHANES 2005-2018.

Diet quality and cardiometabolic health in breast cancer survivors: the Pathways Study.

Mental health and neurodegenerative diseases

The moderating effect of diet on the relationship between depressive symptoms and Alzheimer’s disease-related blood-based biomarkers.

Association between Mediterranean diet adherence and Parkinson’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Diet interventions for depression: Review and recommendations for practice.

Human gut microbiome, diet, and mental disorders.

Women health

Dysmenorrhea, Premenstrual Syndrome, and Lifestyle Habits in Young University Students in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Dietary patterns including the Mediterranean diet

Micronutrients adequacy according to six diet quality indices in the “Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra” cohort.

Gender and sex differences in adherence to a Mediterranean diet and associated factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

Psoriasis

Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Patients With Psoriasis: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Olive oil

Quantitative analysis of β-carotene and unsaturated fatty acids in blended olive oil via Raman spectroscopy combined with model prediction.