Effect of the Mediterranean Diet Supplemented With Olive Oil Versus the Low-Fat Diet on Serum Inflammatory and Endothelial Indexes Among Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Controlled Trials
Behnaz Pourrajab, Danial Fotros, Parastoo Asghari, Farzad Shidfar
Abstract
CONTEXT: Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction are important risk factors for chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and related mortality. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of 2 popular dietary patterns-a Mediterranean (MED) diet supplemented with olive oil and a low-fat diet (LFD)-on factors related to inflammation and endothelial function in adults. DATA SOURCES AND DATA EXTRACTION: The following online databases were searched for related studies published until August 7, 2024: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Clarivate Analytics Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. Two independent researchers selected the studies based on the eligibility criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: The effect sizes were expressed as Hedges' g with 95% CIs. A total of 16 eligible trials with 20 effect sizes were included in the analyses. This meta-analysis revealed that the MED diet supplemented with olive oil significantly improved all of the indicators of the study compared with the LFD, except in the case of E-selectin, in which a low and nonsignificant decrease was reported. CONCLUSION: Available evidence suggests that a MED diet supplemented with olive oil compared with the LFD significantly improves inflammation and serum endothelial function in adults. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42023485718.