Statins are a type of cholesterol lowering medication often prescribed to patients with heart disease. To see how diet might impact the effectiveness of statins, researchers analyzed the eating habits and health outcomes of 1,180 older adults with heart disease for 8 years. Those most closely following a Mediterranean Diet were 30% less likely to die from heart disease over the study period. However, statins only reduced heart disease death risk when taken in combination with the Mediterranean diet. Furthermore, the patients taking statins in combination with a Mediterranean diet had a 50% lower risk of dying of heart disease than those just using one approach (diet or medicine). The researchers suspect that this synergistic effect may be due to the anti-inflammatory effects of the Mediterranean Diet. 
International Journal of Cardiology.  2019 Feb 1;276:248-254. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2018.11.117. (Bonaccio M et al.)

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that can cause stiffness and tremors, and make movement difficult. In a study of 1,731 elderly adults, those most closely following a Mediterranean Diet had a 21% lower probability of showing early signs of Parkinson’s Disease (prodromal Parkinson’s disease) than those not following a Mediterranean diet.
Movement Disorders. 2019 Jan;34(1):48-57. doi: 10.1002/mds.27489. (Maraki MI et al.)

Whole grains contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and sprouting grains may make these compounds more available. In this study, researchers fed volunteers a meal of sprouted whole wheat, sprouted whole grain triticale, or sugar and compared how these foods affected the volunteers blood sugar and insulin levels. People who ate the sprouted triticale had lower levels of blood sugar and insulin than those who ate sugar; the volunteers who ate sprouted wheat had lower blood sugar than those who had just sugar, but there was no difference in insulin response. Both grains were associated with improved blood sugar control, however this effect was strongest in the sprouted triticale group. This study indicates that whole grain triticale may be especially beneficial to blood sugar management.
Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. 2019 Jan 10;2019:6594896. doi: 10.1155/2019/6594896. (Meija et al.)

TMAO is a potentially dangerous metabolite linked with heart attacks and stroke, so researchers wonder how diet can impact the amount of TMAO that our bodies produce. In this study, researchers assigned 113 adults to a high-saturated fat or low-saturated fat diet for 4 weeks, with a washout period before switching to the other diet. Interestingly, saturated fat did not impact TMAO. However, eating lots of red meat (but not white meat or nonmeat) was linked with significantly higher levels of TMAO through 3 different mechanisms (nutrient density of TMA precursors, increased production from carnitine, and reduced TMAO excretion).
European Heart Journal. 2018 Dec 10. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy799. (Wang Z et al.)

White rice has displaced many traditional whole grains across Asia, so researchers wonder how white rice might relate to diabetes risk. In a study of 45,411 Chinese adults followed for 11 years, researchers found that replacing white rice with white bread and whole grain bread can reduce type 2 diabetes risk by 10% and 18% respectively, and that replacing white rice with noodles, red meat, or poultry might actually increase diabetes risk. Rice intake itself was not associated with higher type 2 diabetes. The authors conclude that “recommendations to reduce high white rice consumption in Asian populations for the prevention of [type 2 diabetes] may only be effective if substitute foods are considered carefully.”
European Journal of Nutrition. 2018 Dec 10. doi: 10.1007/s00394-018-1879-7. [Epub ahead of print] (Seah JYH et al.)

The Mediterranean diet is closely linked with heart health, and researchers want to learn more about the underlying mechanisms behind this connection. In this study researchers analyzed the diet and health outcomes of 25,994 women for 12 years. Those most closely following a Mediterranean diet were 28% less likely to develop heart disease than those not following a Mediterranean diet. Even those who were only moderately following a Mediterranean diet had a 23% lower risk of heart disease, indicating that even small lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on health. The researchers suspect that part of the heart health benefits may be related to lower inflammation, as women most closely following the Mediterranean diet had significantly lower levels of biomarkers of inflammation. Other factors shown to affect the relationship between the Mediterranean diet and heart health are the Mediterranean diet’s links to blood sugar management, BMI, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
JAMA Network Open. 2018 Dec 7;1(8):e185708. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5708 (Ahmad S et al.)

The liver is important for metabolism, so researchers wonder how substituting whole grains might impact liver health. To assess this relationship, 50 overweight middle-aged adults were randomly assigned to a diet with 5 servings of whole wheat foods per day or 5 servings of refined wheat foods per day for 12 weeks, and compliance was confirmed by measuring biomarkers of whole wheat intake (alkylresorcinol). The refined wheat diet significantly increased liver fat, indicating that it may contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. On the other hand, the whole wheat diet prevented an increase in liver fat, and better maintained liver health.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Dec 1;108(6):1264-1274. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy204. (Schutte S et al.)

In a traditional Mediterranean diet, dairy was eaten often, but in small amounts (typically fermented dairy products, like artisanal cheese and Greek yogurt). Researchers wonder if a Mediterranean diet with slightly more dairy might still offer some benefits, so they randomly assigned 41 adults at risk of heart disease to a Mediterranean diet with 3-4 servings of dairy per day, or a low fat diet. Compared to a low fat diet, the Mediterranean dairy diet resulted in significantly higher HDL (good) cholesterol, lower triglycerides (a fat in the blood) and significantly lower blood pressure in the morning. However, more research is needed to see how a traditional Mediterranean diet compares with a higher dairy Mediterranean diet.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Dec 1;108(6):1166-1182. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy207. (Wade AT et al.)

Fruits and vegetables are the cornerstone of healthy traditional diets around the globe. In this study, researchers analyzed the fruit and vegetable intake of 27,842 men and monitored their brain health 20 years later. Not surprisingly, those eating more vegetables, fruit, and fruit juice were significantly less likely to have poor late-life subjective cognitive function, indicating healthier brain function.
Neurology. 2018 Nov 21. pii: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006684. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000006684. (Yuan C et al.)

Sharing meals amongst friends and family is an important component of traditional diets and lifestyles around the world. Families who eat together tend to eat healthier, but researchers wonder whether this holds true in more dysfunctional families. To assess this relationship, researchers analyzed the eating habits of 2,728 adolescents living at home, and also surveyed them on how well their family functions together. More frequent family dinners were linked with healthier diets, including more fruits and vegetables, and less take-out and fast food, regardless of how well the family functions together.
JAMA Network Open. 2018 Nov 21;1(7):e185217. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.5217 (Walton K et al.)

Polyphenols are naturally occurring antioxidants found in many foods including olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and red wine; these foods are also key components of the traditional Mediterranean diet. In this review researchers analyzed the main sources of polyphenols in the Mediterranean diet and their potential health impacts. They found that the Mediterranean diet has a unique mix of polyphenols that is associated with decreased obesity; the polyphenols present in the Mediterranean diet may also promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which may aid in digestion and have other positive health effects.
Nutrients. 2018 Oct 17;10(10). pii: E1523. doi: 10.3390/nu10101523. (Castro-Barquero S et al)

For decades, experts have debated the merits of a low-fat versus a low-carb diet. In this review, nutrition scientists of widely varying perspectives detailed evidence supporting both low-fat and low-carb diets, as well as points of consensus they could agree on. The experts agreed that carbohydrate quality (whole grains and low Glycemic Index foods over refined grains and sugars) and fat quality (unsaturated fats over trans fats and saturated fats) are much more important than the amount of carbohydrates or fat in the diet.
Science. 2018 Nov 16;362(6416):764-770. doi: 10.1126/science.aau2096. (Ludwig DS et al.)