You've probably heard of the Mediterranean diet. This isn't new in the slightest, but it's always been trending as research links it to general health and longevity.
But have you heard of the Atlantic Diet? A study published this month in JAMA found that diets high in fish, dried fruits, vegetables, beans, and minimally processed foods are associated with a variety of foods that increase the risk of chronic disease. It has been associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome, a term that describes a common health condition.
Specifically, the researchers recruited families with more than 500 participants in 2014 and 2015 and compared the incidence of metabolic syndrome during a six-month follow-up. Secondary analyzes for this study were conducted from 2021 to late 2023. Those who followed the Atlantic diet were less likely to develop metabolic syndrome (3% of those who did not develop metabolic syndrome in this study) than those who continued to eat normally. Lifestyle (7%)
The Atlantic Diet is similar to the Mediterranean Diet in that it is by no means new. It is based on the lifestyle of the people of northern Portugal and northwestern Spain and the locally available foods.
It also mirrors the Mediterranean diet and similar dietary approaches in that it prioritizes a few key food groups without emphasizing restrictions.
What is metabolic syndrome?
Metabolic syndrome is a general term given to people who have several health markers that can interfere with the way their body metabolizes energy or how their cardiovascular system functions. This includes things like high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. Also called insulin resistance syndrome.
The wellness markers that make up metabolic syndrome often work together, increasing the risk of developing dangerous long-term health conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. This is another umbrella term that describes the number one cause of metabolic syndrome. Death in the United States.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, approximately one in three adults in the United States has metabolic syndrome.
Regarding the specific areas of metabolic syndrome that may be affected by the Atlantic Diet: This month's study results showed that participants who followed the diet tended to have higher waist circumference and lower levels of “good cholesterol.” I did. . ” Risks for high blood pressure, fasting insulin, and triglyceride (blood fat) levels were not affected.
What foods are included in the Atlantic diet?
According to the JAMA study, the Atlantic diet focuses on:
- fruits and vegetables
- whole grain
- beans
- Olive oil
- seafood
- Products based on starch (potatoes, rice, etc.)
- dried fruits, especially chestnuts
- Dairy products (milk and cheese)
- Moderate amount of meat and wine
The Atlantic Diet got its name because the country and culture it is modeled after is located in the Atlantic Ocean of southern Europe, in northern Portugal and northwestern Spain, also known as Garacia.
But as Healthline reports, with a special emphasis on local, seasonal foods and family-centered meals, Atlantic-style eating may look a little different for everyone.
read more: Mediterranean diet for heart health: what foods to eat and how to start
Atlantic and Mediterranean diets: finding common ground in the healthiest diets
If you're wondering how a diet rich in plants, healthy fats, and lean protein differs from the Mediterranean diet, it's no surprise. Both the Mediterranean and Atlantic diets (or sustainable heart-healthy diets in general) emphasize nutritious foods such as vegetables, olive oil, fish, and legumes, and avoid lean meats and highly processed foods. should be kept to a minimum. The difference is that the Atlantic diet may include more meat and more cruciferous vegetables, a type of vegetable to which kale and cabbage belong, according to the Washington Post.
However, the importance of the Atlantic (and, for that matter, the Mediterranean diet) may have less to do with region or body of water. If you comb through the archives of nutrition tips from online medical professionals and nutritionists, you'll find that their advice for most people's diets is pretty much the same. Fill up on colorful plants (fruits and vegetables) and eat your fill of healthy foods. Consume fats (like olive oil, avocado, and even cheese for satiety and full-body function), look for lean proteins (animal proteins like beans, lentils, and fish), and choose whole grains and starchy bases. Get your carbohydrates in.
In addition, the word “moderation” is often used in the descriptions of these diets, which refers to a limited intake of foods that are safe to eat as long as they are not restricted, such as red meat, alcohol, and sugary sweets. You will find it. daily staple food. For example, this list of foods to eat on the Mediterranean diet is full of delicious foods that will keep you full and provide your body with the nutrients it needs. A little chocolate.
read more: Nutritionists want you to stop dieting.The reason is as follows