Torres-Pena JD, et al. - This study was designed to investigate if long-term consumption of a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) rich in olive oil or a low-fat diet (LF diet) was associated with an improved endothelial dysfunction (ED) and whether the potential benefits were similar in patients with or without type 2 diabetes (T2D) in the CORDIOPREV (Coronary diet intervention with olive oil and cardiovascular prevention) clinical trial. Findings demonstrated that improved endothelial function was observed in patients with prediabetes and diabetes subsequent to habitual consumption of a MedDiet rich in extra virgin olive oil.

Methods

• This study included 805 participants.
• Researchers measured endothelial function in the participants who had completed follow-up ultrasound image studies, using ultrasonography of brachial artery to calculate flow mediated vasodilatation (FMD) before and after 1.5 years of intervention with a MedDiet [35% of calories from fat (22% monounsaturated) and 50% from carbohydrates] and LF diet [28% fat (12% monounsaturated) and 55% of calories from carbohydrates].
• Furthermore, they used the American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria to classify participants as patients with T2D, prediabetes, and without T2D.

Results

• Findings demonstrated that MedDiet increased FMD in patients with T2D [5.2 ± 0.4 at 1.5 years vs 3.7 ± 0.4 at baseline; p=0.04] and prediabetes [4.9 ± 0.4 vs 3.8 ± 0.4; p=0.04].
• Researchers also found that MedDiet vs LF diet induced an improvement in FMD in patients with diabetes [5.2 ± 0.4 (MedDiet) vs 3.7 ± 0.4 (LF diet); p=0.01]; whereas both diets maintained FMD stable in patients without diabetes.