Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and energy, macro-, and micronutrient intakes in older persons

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Mediterranean-type diet combines several foods and nutrients already individually proposed as potential protective factors against adverse health outcomes, such as cardiovascular diseases. The aim of the present study was to describe the association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet (MeDi) and intake of energy, macronutrients, and micronutrients. The study sample consisted of 1,595 individuals from Bordeaux, France, included in 2001–2002 in the Three-City Study. Adherence to a MeDi (scored as 0 to 9) was computed from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Total energy intake (EI) and nutrient intake were evaluated on a 24 h recall. Statistical analyses were stratified by gender. Both in men and women, greater MeDi adherence was associated with higher total vegetal protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), notably n − 6 PUFA, and lower total saturated fat intakes, as expressed in percentage of EI. Higher total monounsaturated fat and oleic acid intakes (% EI) were observed with greater MeDi adherence in men. Women with the highest MeDi adherence exhibited a higher mean carbohydrate, polysaccharide, and total n − 3 PUFA intakes (% EI). The consumption of fibers; vitamins B6, C, and E; folate; magnesium; potassium; and iron increased with greater MeDi adherence, both in men and women. However, consumption of calcium significantly decreased with greater MeDi adherence in women, while the ratio of n − 6/n − 3 PUFA precursors increased. This cross-sectional study provides the nutrient-related basis of the Mediterranean-type diet of French elderly community dwellers, which might participate to its well-documented beneficial effects on health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Astrup A, Dyerberg J, Elwood P, Hermansen K, Hu FB, Jakobsen MU, Kok FJ, Krauss RM, Lecerf JM, LeGrand P, Nestel P, Riserus U, Sanders T, Sinclair A, Stender S, Tholstrup T, Willett WC (2011) The role of reducing intakes of saturated fat in the prevention of cardiovascular disease: where does the evidence stand in 2010? Am J Clin Nutr 93:684–688

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bach A, Serra-Majem L, Carrasco JL, Roman B, Ngo J, Bertomeu I, Obrador B (2006) The use of indexes evaluating the adherence to the Mediterranean diet in epidemiological studies: a review. Public Health Nutr 9:132–146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Bach-Faig A, Berry EM, Lairon D, Reguant J, Trichopoulou A, Dernini S, Medina FX, Battino M, Belahsen R, Miranda G, Serra-Majem L (2011) Mediterranean diet pyramid today. Science and cultural updates. Public Health Nutr 14:2274–2284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bach-Faig A, Geleva D, Carrasco JL, Ribas-Barba L, Serra-Majem L (2006) Evaluating associations between Mediterranean diet adherence indexes and biomarkers of diet and disease. Public Health Nutr 9:1110–1117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Bartali B, Frongillo EA, Guralnik JM, Stipanuk MH, Allore HG, Cherubini A, Bandinelli S, Ferrucci L, Gill TM (2008) Serum micronutrient concentrations and decline in physical function among older persons. JAMA 299:308–315

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Berr C, Portet F, Carriere I, Akbaraly TN, Feart C, Gourlet V, Combe N, Barberger-Gateau P, Ritchie K (2009) Olive oil and cognition: results from the Three-City Study. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 28:357–364

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Bhupathiraju SN, Tucker KL (2011) Coronary heart disease prevention: nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns. Clin Chim Acta 412:1493–1514

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Bountziouka V, Tzavelas G, Polychronopoulos E, Constantinidis TC, Panagiotakos DB (2011) Validity of dietary patterns derived in nutrition surveys using a priori and a posteriori multivariate statistical methods. Int J Food Sci Nutr 62:617–627

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Dai J, Jones DP, Goldberg J, Ziegler TR, Bostick RM, Wilson PW, Manatunga AK, Shallenberger L, Jones L, Vaccarino V (2008) Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and oxidative stress. Am J Clin Nutr 88:1364–1370

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Drewnowski A, Eichelsdoerfer P (2009) The Mediterranean diet: does it have to cost more? Public Health Nutr 12:1621–1628

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Feart C, Jutand MA, Larrieu S, Letenneur L, Delcourt C, Combe N, Barberger-Gateau P (2007) Energy, macronutrient and fatty acid intake of French elderly community dwellers and association with socio-demographic characteristics: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study. Br J Nutr 98:1046–1057

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Feart C, Samieri C, Barberger-Gateau P (2010) Mediterranean diet and cognitive function in older adults. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 13:14–18

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Feart C, Samieri C, Rondeau V, Amieva H, Portet F, Dartigues JF, Scarmeas N, Barberger-Gateau P (2009) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, cognitive decline, and risk of dementia. JAMA 302:638–648

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Feart C, Torres MJ, Samieri C, Jutand MA, Peuchant E, Simopoulos AP, Barberger-Gateau P (2011) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and plasma fatty acids: data from the Bordeaux sample of the Three-City Study. Br J Nutr 106(1):149–58

    Google Scholar 

  15. Giugliano D, Esposito K (2008) Mediterranean diet and metabolic diseases. Curr Opin Lipidol 19:63–68

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hercberg S, Preziosi P, Briancon S, Galan P, Triol I, Malvy D, Roussel AM, Favier A (1998) A primary prevention trial using nutritional doses of antioxidant vitamins and minerals in cardiovascular diseases and cancers in a general population: the SU.VI.MAX study—design, methods, and participant characteristics. SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants. Control Clin Trials 19:336–351

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Kant AK (2004) Dietary patterns and health outcomes. J Am Diet Assoc 104:615–635

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Keys A, Menotti A, Karvonen MJ, Aravanis C, Blackburn H, Buzina R, Djordjevic BS, Dontas AS, Fidanza F, Keys MH et al (1986) The diet and 15-year death rate in the seven countries study. Am J Epidemiol 124:903–915

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Martin A (2001) The “apports nutritionnels conseilles (ANC)” for the French population. Reprod Nutr Dev 41:119–128

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Mente A, de Koning L, Shannon HS, Anand SS (2009) A systematic review of the evidence supporting a causal link between dietary factors and coronary heart disease. Arch Intern Med 169:659–669

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Panagiotakos DB, Kastorini CM, Pitsavos C, Stefanadis C (2011) The current Greek diet and the omega-6/omega-3 balance: the Mediterranean diet score is inversely associated with the omega-6/omega-3 ratio. World Rev Nutr Diet 102:53–56

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Roman B, Carta L, Martinez-Gonzalez MA, Serra-Majem L (2008) Effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet in the elderly. Clin Interv Aging 3:97–109

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Samieri C, Feart C, Letenneur L, Dartigues JF, Peres K, Auriacombe S, Peuchant E, Delcourt C, Barberger-Gateau P (2008) Low plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and depressive symptomatology are independent predictors of dementia risk. Am J Clin Nutr 88:714–721

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Samieri C, Feart C, Proust-Lima C, Peuchant E, Tzourio C, Stapf C, Berr C, Barberger-Gateau P (2011) Olive oil consumption, plasma oleic acid, and stroke incidence: the Three-City Study. Neurology 77:418–425

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Samieri C, Jutand MA, Feart C, Capuron L, Letenneur L, Barberger-Gateau P (2008) Dietary patterns derived by hybrid clustering method in older people: association with cognition, mood, and self-rated health. J Am Diet Assoc 108:1461–1471

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Scarmeas N, Luchsinger JA, Schupf N, Brickman AM, Cosentino S, Tang MX, Stern Y (2009) Physical activity, diet, and risk of Alzheimer disease. JAMA 302:627–637

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Simopoulos AP (2001) The Mediterranean diets: what is so special about the diet of Greece? The scientific evidence. J Nutr 131:3065S–3073S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sofi F (2009) The Mediterranean diet revisited: evidence of its effectiveness grows. Curr Opin Cardiol 24:442–446

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Sofi F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A (2010) Accruing evidence on benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean diet on health: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 92:1189–1196

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Sofi F, Cesari F, Abbate R, Gensini GF, Casini A (2008) Adherence to Mediterranean diet and health status: meta-analysis. BMJ 337:a1344

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Solfrizzi V, D’Introno A, Colacicco AM, Capurso C, Palasciano R, Capurso S, Torres F, Capurso A, Panza F (2005) Unsaturated fatty acids intake and all-causes mortality: a 8.5-year follow-up of the Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging. Exp Gerontol 40:335–343

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. SU.VI.MAX (2000) Portions alimentaires. Manuel photos pour l’estimation des quantités

  33. The 3C Study Group (2003) Vascular factors and risk of dementia: design of the Three-City Study and baseline characteristics of the study population. Neuroepidemiology 22:316–325

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Trichopoulou A, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D (2009) Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study. BMJ 338:b2337

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Trichopoulou A, Costacou T, Bamia C, Trichopoulos D (2003) Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and survival in a Greek population. N Engl J Med 348:2599–2608

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Trichopoulou A, Kouris-Blazos A, Wahlqvist ML, Gnardellis C, Lagiou P, Polychronopoulos E, Vassilakou T, Lipworth L, Trichopoulos D (1995) Diet and overall survival in elderly people. BMJ 311:1457–1460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Trichopoulou A, Vasilopoulou E (2000) Mediterranean diet and longevity. Br J Nutr 84:S205–S209

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Willett W (1998) Nutritional epidemiology. Oxford University Press, NY, p 514

    Book  Google Scholar 

  39. Willett WC, Sacks F, Trichopoulou A, Drescher G, Ferro-Luzzi A, Helsing E, Trichopoulos D (1995) Mediterranean diet pyramid: a cultural model for healthy eating. Am J Clin Nutr 61:1402S–1406S

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding/Support

The Three-City Study is conducted under a partnership agreement between the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), the Institut de Santé Publique et Développement of the Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2 University, and Sanofi-Aventis. The Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale funded the preparation and initiation of the study. The 3C Study is also supported by the Caisse Nationale Maladie des Travailleurs Salariés, Direction Générale de la Santé, Mutuelle Générale de l’Education Nationale, Institut de la Longévité, Regional Governments of Aquitaine and Bourgogne, Fondation de France, and Ministry of Research—INSERM Programme “Cohortes et collections de données biologiques.”

Role of the sponsors

Study sponsors played no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; and preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

P. Barberger-Gateau received fees for conferences from Danone, Lesieur, Bauch & Lomb, and Aprifel and benefits from research grants from Danone and Lesieur. The other authors declared no support from any institution for the submitted work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Equipe Epidémiologie de la nutrition et des comportements alimentaires, INSERM, U897, Université Bordeaux Ségalen, ISPED Case 11, 146 rue Léo-Saignat, 33076, Bordeaux Cedex, France

    Catherine Feart

  2. INSERM, U897, Bordeaux, 33076, France

    Benjamin Alles, Bénédicte Merle, Cécilia Samieri & Pascale Barberger-Gateau

  3. Université Bordeaux Segalen, Bordeaux, 33076, France

    Benjamin Alles, Bénédicte Merle, Cécilia Samieri & Pascale Barberger-Gateau

Authors
  1. Catherine Feart
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benjamin Alles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bénédicte Merle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cécilia Samieri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Pascale Barberger-Gateau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Catherine Feart.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Feart, C., Alles, B., Merle, B. et al. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet and energy, macro-, and micronutrient intakes in older persons. J Physiol Biochem 68, 691–700 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0190-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13105-012-0190-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation