|
|
|
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
|
|
Cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome
|
Within the last few years interest in the effects of ultra-processed foods (UPF) on health has increased, given its growing production and consumption. UPF are usually convenient, cheap and palatable, however, recent evidence suggests that UPF consumption could increase the risk of obesity. In order to clarify and provide more evidence related to this topic, data collected during a 5 year period from almost 23,000 participants belonging to the UK biobank, was analysed. According to the results, almost half of the foods consumed by the participants were UPF. Participants who consumed more UPF showed a 79% and a 30% relatively higher risk of developing obesity and abdominal obesity respectively, compared with those who consumed less of these products. The risk of having a higher BMI, waist circumference and body fat was also increased with the consumption of UPF, independently of being normo- or overweight at the baseline (except for body fat). Factors such as changes in hormones regulating appetite, the high caloric content of these products, the possible gut microbiota modulation produced by artificial sweeteners, the oro-sensitive characteristics of UPF or the low satiety and high glycaemic responses seem to play a key role regarding the effects derived from their consumption. These factors are infimum or even non-existent in healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD), abundant in olive oil, fruits, legumes, fish, lean meat and nuts.
|
|
Excessive weight, body fat, and body mass index (BMI) could lead to other diseases such as metabolic syndrome whose incidence and prevalence are increasing. This is especially worrisome for menopausal women, given the variability in hormone levels and body composition at this stage of life. For the prevention of metabolic syndrome, lifestyle modifications (diet among others) are one of the first recommendations given. The MD has been extensively researched and has turned out to be one of the best dietary patterns for preventing weight gain and the development of numerous diseases. This review focuses on olive oil, a primary component of the MD, and its role in disease prevention. Polyphenols present in olive oil are attributed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties; mechanisms involved in the onset of various diseases. In regard to dysbiosis, which can lead to illnesses, polyphenols can also modulate the gut microbiota composition. Improvements in some components of metabolic syndrome, such as total and HDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, glycemia, waist circumference, weight, BMI and possibly blood pressure, have also been observed with olive oil consumption. Given this evidence, and taking into account that the age of menopause is often accompanied by the emergence of other diseases, it is of vital importance to promote a healthy lifestyle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
