The Atlantic Diet: A Variation of the Mediterranean Diet with Lower Risk of Chronic Health Problems, Study Finds
A new study conducted by researchers in Santiago de Compostela, Spain has found that the “Atlantic diet,” a variation of the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a significantly lower risk of chronic health problems. Both diets emphasize the consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish or seafood, and the use of olive oil, as well as moderate amounts of wine. However, the Atlantic diet incorporates some unique elements that set it apart from its Mediterranean counterpart.
The Atlantic diet consists of foods traditionally eaten in northwest Spain and Portugal. It recommends three to four servings a week of both seafood and lean meat, a variety of seasonal vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, and olive oil. One of the main differences between the Atlantic diet and the Mediterranean diet is the incorporation of more brassicas, a family of vegetables that includes turnip greens, turnips, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower. Additionally, the Atlantic diet includes more seafood, dairy, and lean cuts of meat. In terms of carbohydrates, while the Mediterranean diet allows for more pasta, the Atlantic diet includes other starches such as chestnuts, potatoes, and bread.
Mar Calvo-Malvar, an attending specialist in laboratory medicine at the University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela and a principal investigator of the Galiat Study, explains that the Atlantic diet is distinct in its culinary traditions. She states, “Recent media portrayals have often depicted the Atlantic diet as a mere variation of the Mediterranean diet. But, the Atlantic diet is distinct in its culinary traditions.”
To investigate the health benefits of the Atlantic diet, the researchers recruited 250 families living in A Estrada, Spain. The study included 574 adults with an average age of 47 years old. The participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group that followed the Atlantic diet and a control group that did not follow any specific diet. The study found that compared to the control group, those who followed the Atlantic diet had a 42 percent lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that raise the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
The intervention group received a cooking class led by a local chef, a recipe book, and “education sessions” taught by nutritionists. They were also provided with a basket of local foods characteristic of the traditional Atlantic diet every three weeks. The researchers emphasized the importance of using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and cooking methods such as steaming and boiling instead of frying.
Dariush Mozaffarian, the director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, notes that the Atlantic diet is essentially a Mediterranean diet with minor differences due to its location. He explains that instead of pasta, the Atlantic diet includes potatoes and bread. Walter C. Willett, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, agrees that the Atlantic diet has positive attributes but suggests that it could be further improved by replacing red meat and dairy with nuts and legumes.
The study highlights the principles of a Mediterranean diet, which include a healthy, plant-based diet with low amounts of meats and dairy, as beneficial for overall health. Christopher Gardner, a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, emphasizes that there isn’t one exact way to eat a Mediterranean diet. He states that it’s more of a style that borrows from various countries in the Mediterranean region. The Atlantic diet aligns perfectly with this way of eating.
In conclusion, the Atlantic diet offers a variation on the Mediterranean diet with its own unique culinary traditions. The study conducted in Spain shows that adhering to the Atlantic diet can significantly lower the risk of chronic health problems associated with metabolic syndrome. While the Atlantic diet shares many similarities with the Mediterranean diet, it incorporates specific regional foods and cooking methods that contribute to its distinctiveness. Overall, the study reinforces the importance of a healthy, plant-based diet for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases.
