here is why this diet is beneficial for metabolic syndrome

For a while now, there has been a lot of talk about the Mediterranean diet, which notably inspired the Mind diet. As a reminder, this is mainly based on a diet of plant origin, low in fat and animal proteins, but rich in unsaturated fatty acids. There is also the Atlantic diet, which you may not have heard of yet. However, this one, native to the northwestern regions of Spain and Portugal, can also have many health benefits. What foods is the focus on? What are its virtues? We’ll explain it to you.

What does the Atlantic diet consist of?

First of all, let’s remember that these diets, Mediterranean and Atlantic, are not necessarily intended to help us lose weight. However, they can contribute in a completely healthy way, without imposing too many restrictions on themselves. According to Doctissimo, the Atlantic diet focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats like olive oil. It consists of eating seasonal, local and minimally processed foods.

Most of the time, the foods that are part of this diet are cooked in the form of a stew, or baked, as is the tradition of the Atlantic coastal regions.

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An effective diet for metabolic syndrome

For those who don’t know what metabolic syndrome is, let’s first remember what it is. That corresponds “the combination of several disorders linked to the presence of excess fat inside the belly”as indicated by Inserm on its website. “The people concerned have a large waist circumference (greater than 94 cm for men and 80 cm for women) and at least two other anomalies among the following: hyperglycemia (excess sugar in the blood), a level of high triglycerides, low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure”, specifies Inserm. This can then be due to a lack of physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle or even a poor diet.

In a scientific study published in the journal Jama Network Openas reported Doctissimo, researchers revealed that the Atlantic diet could have a positive impact on this syndrome. For this study, 126 volunteer families living in the northwest of Spain “received health education classes and cooking classes based on the foods that primarily make up the Atlantic diet”. Another group of 124 families served as a control group, then both groups were observed for six months and kept a logbook.

Following this, the scientists found that the group that adopted the Atlantic diet experienced a significant reduction in the incidence of metabolic syndrome. The waist size of the participants or even the level of bad cholesterol fell in many participants.

“By prioritizing healthy ingredients and traditional cooking methods such as stewing, this diet improves the bioavailability of nutrients, ensuring that the body can better absorb and use them”the researchers said.