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Review
. 2014 Jan 3;6(1):231-48.
doi: 10.3390/nu6010231.

The Mediterranean diet and nutritional adequacy: a review

Itandehui Castro-Quezada  1 , Blanca Román-Viñas  2 , Lluís Serra-Majem  3
Affiliations
Review

The Mediterranean diet and nutritional adequacy: a review

Itandehui Castro-Quezada et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The Mediterranean dietary pattern, through a healthy profile of fat intake, low proportion of carbohydrate, low glycemic index, high content of dietary fiber, antioxidant compounds, and anti-inflammatory effects, reduces the risk of certain pathologies, such as cancer or Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). Nutritional adequacy is the comparison between the nutrient requirement and the intake of a certain individual or population. In population groups, the prevalence of nutrient inadequacy can be assessed by the probability approach or using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) cut-point method. However, dietary patterns can also be used as they have moderate to good validity to assess adequate intakes of some nutrients. The objective of this study was to review the available evidence on the Nutritional Adequacy of the Mediterranean Diet. The inclusion of foods typical of the Mediterranean diet and greater adherence to this healthy pattern was related to a better nutrient profile, both in children and adults, with a lower prevalence of individuals showing inadequate intakes of micronutrients. Therefore, the Mediterranean diet could be used in public health nutrition policies in order to prevent micronutrient deficiencies in the most vulnerable population groups.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Graph of Nutrient intake values and the risk of nutrient inadequacy or excess a. This image shows: (1) Average Nutrient Requirement (ANR); (2) Individual Nutrient Level (INLx); and (3) Upper Nutrient Level (UNL). a Adapted from: Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes: The Essential Guide to Nutrient Requirements; National Academy Press: Washington, DC, USA, 2006 [20].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Average number of nutrients with intakes not meeting recommended levels across quintiles of Western Diet pattern score; adjusted for age and sex [4].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Average number of nutrients with intakes not meeting recommended levels across quintiles of the Mediterranean Diet pattern score; adjusted for age and sex [4].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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