To analyze the effects of adherence to the Portfolio and DASH dietary patterns, researchers conducted a longitudinal analysis of changes in Portfolio and DASH diet scores and observed their association with various cardiometabolic risk factors that are set out in the PREDIMED trial. The PREDIMED trial is an ongoing trial with 6,874 older individuals who fulfill at least three criteria for MetS. Data were collected at baseline, six months, and one year, while adherence to dietary patterns was observed using a validated 143-item food frequency questionnaire.
The results showed that a one standard deviation increase in an individual’s Portfolio diet score was significantly associated with lower HbA1c, or known as an individual’s blood sugar level, lower fasting glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference, and body mass index. A one standard deviation increase in the DASH diet score was associated with lower HbA1c, glucose, triglycerides, non-HDL-cholesterol, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and with higher HDL-cholesterol.
In conclusion, older adults with MetS and high cardiovascular risk may be able to improve their cardiovascular parameters by adhering to the Portfolio and DASH diets. Greater adherence to both dietary patterns showed advantageous associations with many relevant cardiometabolic risk factors.
Glenn, A. J., Hernández-Alonso, P., Kendall, C. W., Martínez-González, M. Á., Corella, D., Fitó, M., … & Salas-Salvadó, J. (2021). Longitudinal changes in adherence to the portfolio and DASH dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk factors in the PREDIMED-Plus study. Clinical Nutrition.