Effects of Mediterranean diet supplemented with lean pork on blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular risk: Findings from the MedPork trial
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
British Journal of Nutrition
ISSN
1475-2662
Volume
122
Issue
8
First Page
873
Last Page
883
PubMed ID
31177999
Publisher
Cambridge
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
29893
Funders
Pork Cooperative Research Centre
Abstract
The Mediterranean diet offers a range of health benefits. However, previous studies indicate that the restricted consumption of red meat in the diet may affect long-term sustainability in non-Mediterranean countries. A 24-week randomised controlled parallel cross-over design compared a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 2-3 serves per week of fresh, lean pork (MedPork) with a low-fat control diet (LF). Thirty-three participants at risk of CVD followed each intervention for 8 weeks, with an 8-week washout period separating interventions. The primary outcome was home-measured systolic blood pressure. Secondary outcomes included diastolic blood pressure, fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), body composition and dietary adherence. During the MedPork intervention, participants achieved high adherence to dietary guidelines. Compared with the MedPork intervention, the LF intervention led to greater reductions in weight (Δ = -0·65; 95 % CI -0·04, -1·25 kg, P = 0·04), BMI (Δ = -0·25; 95 % CI -0·03, -0·47 kg/m2, P = 0·01) and waist circumference (Δ = -1·40; 95 % CI -0·45, -2·34 cm, P < 0·01). No significant differences were observed for blood pressure, lipids, glucose, insulin or CRP. These findings indicate that Australians are capable of adhering to a Mediterranean diet with 2-3 weekly serves of fresh, lean pork. Larger intervention studies are now required to demonstrate clinical efficacy of the diet in populations with elevated blood pressure.
DOI
10.1017/S0007114519001168
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Wade, A. T., Davis, C. R., Dyer, K. A., Hodgson, J. M., Woodman, R. J., & Murphy, K. J. (2019). Effects of Mediterranean diet supplemented with lean pork on blood pressure and markers of cardiovascular risk: Findings from the MedPork trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 122(8), 873-883.
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