Skip to content
Healthy dietary habits can be an effective strategy for protecting vascular endothelium. Changes in the endothelium, particularly disruptions in blood flow, can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and hypertension. Therefore, researchers from the University of Southern California evaluated how a calorie-restricted diet, mimicking fasting, impacts the risk of cardiovascular diseases among adults with obesity and hypertension. Simultaneously, scientists compared the effectiveness of this dietary approach with the Mediterranean diet.
Distinguishing Features between the Fasting-Mimicking Diet and the Mediterranean Diet
The fasting-mimicking diet is low-calorie and plant-based, with low levels of proteins and fats. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by a high intake of grains, legumes, fruits/vegetables, a moderate number of fish, and olive oil.
Both types of diets include beneficial mono- and polyunsaturated fats. However, fats in the low-calorie diet are exclusively plant-derived, while those in the Mediterranean diet are predominantly animal-based.
About the Study
A randomized clinical trial was conducted at the Institute of Hypertension in the USA from September 2018 to May 2019. The study included 84 individuals with obesity and hypertension of both genders, aged 35 to 75 years. Participants were divided into two groups: 44 individuals underwent four monthly cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet, while 40 adhered to the Mediterranean diet continuously for four months.
Participants in the low-calorie diet group consumed only meals provided by the researchers. Total calorie intake ranged from 1000 to 1100 kcal per day to 700–800 kcal on the second to fifth days. Between diet cycles, participants followed their regular eating habits. Participants in the Mediterranean diet group received dietary guidelines but were not obliged to follow them.
Low-Calorie Diet Rejuvenates and Reduces Fat Mass
The low-calorie diet group showed a tendency to reduce biological age, heart age, and insulin levels. Additionally, these participants experienced significant loss of fat mass, while patients in the Mediterranean diet group also lost over a kilogram of lean muscle mass. Meanwhile, the prevalence of diabetes decreased among the latter.
Researchers believe that both diets are effective in weight regulation and reducing the risk of cardiometabolic diseases in individuals with obesity and hypertension. They also suggest that intermittent diets, such as cycles of low-calorie consumption, are easier to adhere to.
Caloric restriction, intermittent fasting, and the Mediterranean diet are proven ways to slow aging, maintain a healthy weight, and support cardiovascular health. Specifically, 14-hour fasting improves mood and sleep, while the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy enhances the neurodevelopment of the child.
