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This week on the Olive Health Information System website
The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health
Recent scientific evidence continues to highlight the health benefits of the Mediterranean Diet (MD), especially its impact on various health outcomes and populations. In particular, emerging data underline the role of adherence to the MD in maternal health, cardiometabolic disease prevention and diabetes management, with olive oil playing a central role due to its bioactive components.
Adherence to the MD during early pregnancy has been associated with a reduction in common gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and constipation. These findings suggest that the MD may contribute to improved maternal comfort and gastrointestinal function in the first trimester of pregnancy. The anti-inflammatory and gut modulating properties of MD, partly attributed to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols from olive oil, are thought to be key mechanisms underlying this protective effect.
In the context of cardiovascular prevention, data from randomized controlled trials have shown that a MD – particularly one reduced in saturated fat and enriched in olive oil – can effectively improve several cardiometabolic parameters. Participants of CADIMED trial who followed this dietary intervention showed significant improvements in lipid profiles and blood pressure. Olive oil was highlighted as the main source of healthy fats, replacing saturated fats and contributing to better cardiovascular outcomes. These results provide robust evidence for the preventive role of MD in cardiometabolic disease and support current dietary recommendations.
Further, supporting the long-term health benefits of this dietary pattern, a systematic review and meta-analysis showed that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is significantly associated with a reduced risk of diabetic microvascular complications, including retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. These protective effects are largely mediated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the MD, with olive oil being one of the main contributors due to its rich content of phenolic compounds such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. These findings suggest that MD may be an effective strategy for managing and potentially delaying the progression of chronic diabetes-related complications.
Overall, these studies converge on the conclusion that the Mediterranean diet – especially when rich in extra virgin olive oil – offers substantial health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Its implementation in clinical and public health settings represents a powerful, evidence-based approach to disease prevention and health promotion across the lifespan.
Other articles mentioned this week in the OHIS newsletter:
Cardiovascular disease
Intervention design and adherence to Mediterranean diet in the CADIMED randomized trial.
Mediterranean diet and diabetic microvascular complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Cancer
Microbiota
Women’s health
Impact of Mediterranean Diet Adherence in Early Pregnancy on Nausea, Vomiting, and Constipation.
Midwives’ perspectives on women’s dietary intake during pregnancy: A systems thinking approach.
Mediterranean Diet and Change in Physical Function Over Time In Older Women.
Anemia and food insecurity: the nutritional struggles of pregnant women in Lebanon amid crises.
Mental health
