Key result
Minimally processed, plant-based diets blunt post-prandial dysmetabolism and inflammation to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Why the study?
The typical American diet leads to post-prandial dysmetabolism, which acutely triggers atherogenic changes and predicts future cardiovascular events even in nondiabetic individuals.
Do dietary strategies rich in minimally processed, plant-based foods improve post-prandial dysmetabolism and reduce cardiovascular risk compared to highly processed diets?
Do dietary strategies rich in minimally processed, plant-based foods improve post-prandial dysmetabolism and reduce cardiovascular risk compared to highly processed diets?
An anti-inflammatory diet rich in minimally processed, plant-based foods improves post-prandial dysmetabolism and should be considered for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and diabetes.
May inform dietary recommendations to mitigate CV risk; leaves open causality pending dedicated randomized trials.
The highly processed, calorie-dense, nutrient-depleted diet favored in the current American culture frequently leads to exaggerated supraphysiological post-prandial spikes in blood glucose and lipids. This state, called post-prandial dysmetabolism, induces immediate oxidant stress, which increases in direct proportion to the increases in glucose and triglycerides after a meal. The transient increase in free radicals acutely triggers atherogenic changes including inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, and sympathetic hyperactivity. Post-prandial dysmetabolism is an independent predictor of future cardiovascular events even in nondiabetic individuals. Improvements in diet exert profound and immediate favorable changes in the post-prandial dysmetabolism. Specifically, a diet high in minimally processed, high-fiber, plant-based foods such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts will markedly blunt the post-meal increase in glucose, triglycerides, and inflammation. Additionally, lean protein, vinegar, fish oil, tea, cinnamon, calorie restriction, weight loss, exercise, and low-dose to moderate-dose alcohol each positively impact post-prandial dysmetabolism. Experimental and epidemiological studies indicate that eating patterns, such as the traditional Mediterranean or Okinawan diets, that incorporate these types of foods and beverages reduce inflammation and cardiovascular risk. This anti-inflammatory diet should be considered for the primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease and diabetes.
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O’Keefe et al. (2008) conducted a review in Post-prandial dysmetabolism and cardiovascular risk. Anti-inflammatory diet (minimally processed, high-fiber, plant-based foods) was evaluated. An anti-inflammatory diet high in minimally processed, plant-based foods blunts post-prandial increases in glucose and lipids, reducing inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
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