New ‘Atlantic’ Diet Could Dethrone Mediterranean Plan As Healthiest Choice for Weight Loss, Cholesterol Levels [Study]

The Mediterranean diet was deemed the healthiest choice for those who want to maintain a healthy weight and body. However, a new and upcoming diet called "Atlantic" is reportedly better.

New Atlantic Diet Better Than Mediterranean Plan

A new study suggests that a new diet might overthrow the Mediterranean diet and cut the risk of metabolic syndrome condition that raises the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure in half.

Spanish researchers recruited more than 200 families. There were 518 persons in the study, ranging in age from 18 to 85, who were all Caucasian and of Spanish ancestry.

Sixty percent of the participants were female, with an average age of 47.

The metabolic syndrome, a collection of illnesses that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, among other ailments, was not present in almost 450 patients. Over 100 patients had metabolic syndrome at the time of the study.

Following that, they were split into two groups -- 248 (110 families) continued their normal meal plans, and 270 (121 families) adhered to the Atlantic diet.

Atlantic diet is a Portuguese and Spanish-inspired eating plan that emphasizes local, seasonal foods and stews and baked and boiled dishes instead of fried or roasted in fat. In addition to receiving food baskets, cooking classes, recipe books, and nutrition instruction sessions, participants in the Atlantic diet also received these extras.

Following the Atlantic diet for six months instead of their regular diet "significantly reduced the incidence of metabolic syndrome," with benefits noted in weight, waist circumference, and HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Compared to 6% in the other group, just 3% of participants who followed the plan experienced a deterioration in the aforementioned health markers. Blood pressure and glucose, or blood sugar, levels, however, remained the same.

After six months, three percent of individuals on the Atlantic diet and seven percent of those on their regular diet had metabolic syndrome. According to the study, the people in the Atlantic diet improved their weight, cholesterol, and waist circumference. Triglyceride levels, blood pressure, and glucose did not alter, though.

Thirty-three percent of the metabolic syndrome patients in both groups had recovered from their symptoms after six months. According to the researchers, this indicates that people who had not yet developed metabolic syndrome benefited most from the Atlantic diet.

"A traditional Atlantic dietary intervention significantly reduced the incidence of metabolic syndrome," the team said.

What Is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a chronic illness that calls for lifestyle modifications. If you have diabetes or heart disease, take care of these illnesses according to your doctor's advice.

To manage and prevent metabolic syndrome, one should maintain a healthy weight, follow a nutritious diet, give up smoking and other tobacco products, and engage in regular physical activity.

Among the lifestyle adjustments needed to manage metabolic syndrome are the following:

* A nutritious diet

* Exercise and physical exertion

* Giving up smoking or using other tobacco products if you currently smoke

* Reducing your weight if you are obese or overweight

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