Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

A 3 years follow-up of a Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil is associated with high plasma antioxidant capacity and reduced body weight gain

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 63, pages 1387–1393 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a Mediterranean dietary pattern on plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) after 3 years of intervention and the associations with adiposity indexes in a randomized dietary trial (PREDIMED trial) with high cardiovascular risk patients.

Subjects/Methods:

187 subjects were randomly selected from the PREDIMED-UNAV center after they completed 3-year intervention program. Participants were following a Mediterranean-style diet with high intake of virgin olive oil or high intake of nuts, or a conventional low-fat diet. Adiposity indexes were measured at baseline and at year 3. Plasma TAC was evaluated using a commercially available colorimetric assay kit.

Results:

Plasma TAC in the control, olive oil and nuts groups was 2.01±0.15, 3.51±0.14 and 3.02±0.14 mM Trolox, respectively after adjusting for age and sex. The differences between the Mediterranean diet and control groups were statistically significant (P<0.001). Moreover higher levels of TAC were significantly associated with a reduction in body weight after 3 years of intervention among subjects allocated to the virgin olive oil group (B=−1.306; 95% CI=−2.439 to −0.173; P=0.025, after adjusting for age, sex and baseline body mass index).

Conclusions:

Mediterranean diet, especially rich in virgin olive oil, is associated with higher levels of plasma antioxidant capacity. Plasma TAC is related to a reduction in body weight after 3 years of intervention in a high cardiovascular risk population with a Mediterranean-style diet rich in virgin olive oil.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on SpringerLink
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambring A, Friberg P, Axelsen M, Laffrenzen M, Taskinen MR, Basu S et al. (2004). Effects of a Mediterranean-inspired diet on blood lipids, vascular function and oxidative stress in healthy subjects. Clin Sci (London) 106, 519–525.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corella D, Gonzalez JI, Bullo M, Carrasco P, Portoles O, Diez-Espino J et al. (2009). Polymorphisms cyclooxygenase-2-765G&gt;C and interleukin-6-174G&gt;C are associated with serum inflammation markers in a high cardiovascular risk population and do not modify the response to a Mediterranean diet supplemented with virgin olive oil or nuts. J Nutr 139, 128–134.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dai J, Jones DP, Goldberg J, Ziegler TR, Bostick RM, Wilson PW et al. (2008). Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and oxidative stress. Am J Clin Nutr 88, 1364–1370.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Estruch R, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Salas-Salvado J, Ruiz-Gutierrez V, Covas MI et al. (2006). Effects of a Mediterranean-style diet on cardiovascular risk factors: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 145, 1–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fito M, Guxens M, Corella D, Saez G, Estruch R, de la Torre R et al. (2007). Effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet on lipoprotein oxidation: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 167, 1195–1203.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hagfors L, Leanderson P, Skoldstam L, Andersson J, Johansson G (2003). Antioxidant intake, plasma antioxidants and oxidative stress in a randomized, controlled, parallel, Mediterranean dietary intervention study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutr J 2, 5.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Higdon JV, Frei B (2003). Obesity and oxidative stress: a direct link to CVD? Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23, 365–367.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keaney Jr JF, Larson MG, Vasan RS, Wilson PW, Lipinska I, Corey D et al. (2003). Obesity and systemic oxidative stress: clinical correlates of oxidative stress in the Framingham Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23, 434–439.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knoops KT, de Groot LC, Kromhout D, Perrin AE, Moreiras-Varela O, Menotti A et al. (2004). Mediterranean diet, lifestyle factors, and 10-year mortality in elderly European men and women: the HALE project. JAMA 292, 1433–1439.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Krauss RM, Eckel RH, Howard B, Appel LJ, Daniels SR, Deckelbaum RJ et al. (2000). AHA Dietary Guidelines: revision 2000: a statement for healthcare professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. Circulation 102, 2284–2299.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lapointe A, Goulet J, Couillard C, Lamarche B, Lemieux S (2005). A nutritional intervention promoting the Mediterranean food pattern is associated with a decrease in circulating oxidized LDL particles in healthy women from the Quebec City metropolitan area. J Nutr 135, 410–415.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Moreno JM, Boyle P, Gorgojo L, Maisonneuve P, Fernandez-Rodriguez JC, Salvini S et al. (1993). Development and validation of a food frequency questionnaire in Spain. Int J Epidemiol 22, 512–519.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Fernandez-Jarne E, Serrano-Martinez M, Wright M, Gomez-Gracia E (2004). Development of a short dietary intake questionnaire for the quantitative estimation of adherence to a cardioprotective Mediterranean diet. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 1550–1552.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Sanchez-Villegas A (2004). The emerging role of Mediterranean diets in cardiovascular epidemiology: monounsaturated fats, olive oil, red wine or the whole pattern? Eur J Epidemiol 19, 9–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mataix J, Ochoa JJ, Quiles JL (2006). Olive oil and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Int J Vitam Nutr Res 76, 178–183.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mendez MA, Popkin BM, Jakszyn P, Berenguer A, Tormo MJ, Sanchez MJ et al. (2006). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced 3-year incidence of obesity. J Nutr 136, 2934–2938.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morrow JD (2003). Is oxidant stress a connection between obesity and atherosclerosis? Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 23, 368–370.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perez-Jimenez F, Alvarez de Cienfuegos G, Badimon L, Barja G, Battino M, Blanco A et al. (2005). International conference on the healthy effect of virgin olive oil. Eur J Clin Invest 35, 421–424.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pitsavos C, Panagiotakos DB, Tzima N, Chrysohoou C, Economou M, Zampelas A et al. (2005). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with total antioxidant capacity in healthy adults: the ATTICA study. Am J Clin Nutr 82, 694–699.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Puchau B, Zulet MA, Gonzalez de Echavarri A, Navarro-Blasco I, Martinez JA (2009). Selenium intake reduces serum C3, an early marker of metabolic syndrome manifestations, in healthy young adults. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 858–864. E-pub 5 Nov 2008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Razquin C, Alfredo Martinez J, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Corella D, Santos JM, Marti A (2009). The Mediterranean diet protects against waist circumference enlargement in 12Ala carriers for the PPARγ gene: 2 years’ follow-up of 774 subjects at high cardiovascular risk. Br J Nutr 1–8 (doi:10.1017/S0007114509289008, Published online by Cambridge University Press 9 March 2009).

  • Reitman A, Friedrich I, Ben-Amotz A, Levy Y (2002). Low plasma antioxidants and normal plasma B vitamins and homocysteine in patients with severe obesity. Isr Med Assoc J 4, 590–593.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Tainta A, Estruch R, Bullo M, Corella D, Gomez-Gracia E, Fiol M et al. (2008). Adherence to a Mediterranean-type diet and reduced prevalence of clustered cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of 3,204 high-risk patients. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil 15, 589–593.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Villegas A, Bes-Rastrollo M, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Serra-Majem L (2006). Adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern and weight gain in a follow-up study: the SUN cohort. Int J Obes (London) 30, 350–358.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schroder H, Marrugat J, Vila J, Covas MI, Elosua R (2004). Adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with body mass index and obesity in a Spanish population. J Nutr 134, 3355–3361.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serafini M, Del Rio D (2004). Understanding the association between dietary antioxidants, redox status and disease: is the total antioxidant capacity the right tool? Redox Rep 9, 145–152.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serafini M, Villano D, Spera G, Pellegrini N (2006). Redox molecules and cancer prevention: the importance of understanding the role of the antioxidant network. Nutr Cancer 56, 232–240.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sofi F, Cesari F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A (2008). Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ 337, a1344.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Torabian S, Haddad E, Rajaram S, Banta J, Sabate J (2009). Acute effect of nut consumption on plasma total polyphenols, antioxidant capacity and lipid peroxidation. J Hum Nutr Diet 22, 64–71.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D (2003). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med 348, 2599–2608.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent HK, Innes KE, Vincent KR (2007). Oxidative stress and potential interventions to reduce oxidative stress in overweight and obesity. Diabetes Obes Metab 9, 813–839.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Visioli F, Galli C (2001). The role of antioxidants in the Mediterranean diet. Lipids 36, S49–S52.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wallstrom P, Wirfalt E, Lahmann PH, Gullberg B, Janzon L, Berglund G (2001). Serum concentrations of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol are associated with diet, smoking, and general and central adiposity. Am J Clin Nutr 73, 777–785.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zazpe I, Sanchez-Tainta A, Estruch R, Lamuela-Raventos RM, Schroder H, Salas-Salvado J et al. (2008). A large randomized individual and group intervention conducted by registered dietitians increased adherence to Mediterranean-type diets: the PREDIMED study. J Am Diet Assoc 108, 1134–1144. discussion 1145.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zulet MA, Puchau B, Hermsdorff HH, Navarro C, Martinez JA (2008). Vitamin a intake is inversely related with adiposity in healthy young adults. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 54, 347–352.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are specially indebted to Professor Valentina Ruiz-Gutierrez from the Instituto de la Grasa, CSIC, Sevilla (Spain) for her invaluable help to ensure the free provision of olive oil to our participants and to all other members of the PREDIMED group: Salas-Salvado J, Corrella D, Fiol M, Ros E, Aros F, Gomez-Gracia E, Lamuela-Raventos RM, Saez G, Lapetra J, Serra-Majem L, Pinto l, Covas MI, Tur JA and Portillo MP. We acknowledge all the sources of support: Department of Health of the Navarra Government (Spain), Linea Especial (LE 97) of the University of Navarra, Instituto de Salud Carlos III of the Spanish Government (SUBDIRECCION GENERAL DE REDES: (RD 06/0045, PREDIMED Project) and CIBERobn, which is also an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CB06/03/1017).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Physiology and Toxicology, University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain

    C Razquin, J A Martinez & A Marti

  2. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Clinica Universitaria, University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain

    M A Martinez-Gonzalez

  3. Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    M T Mitjavila

  4. Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    R Estruch

Authors
  1. C Razquin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J A Martinez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M A Martinez-Gonzalez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M T Mitjavila
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R Estruch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. A Marti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A Marti.

Additional information

Contributors: CR carried out the experimental procedures, the analysis and interpretation of the data, and drafted the paper. AM participated in the design of this study and reviewed the paper. JAM helped to the interpretation of the data and reviewed the paper. AM and JAM helped with the financial management. MAM-G helped to the statistical analysis and reviewed the paper. MAM-G, MTM and RS participated in the initiation and design of the PREDIMED study and in the recruitment of the subjects. All authors read and approved of the final version of the paper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Razquin, C., Martinez, J., Martinez-Gonzalez, M. et al. A 3 years follow-up of a Mediterranean diet rich in virgin olive oil is associated with high plasma antioxidant capacity and reduced body weight gain. Eur J Clin Nutr 63, 1387–1393 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.106

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2009.106

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Advanced search

Quick links