QUEBEC, Canada – Men have shown better anti-inflammatory response from following the Mediterranean diet, according to a new study.
Findings were published in the May edition of Nutrition Journal.
The study was done to investigate sex differences in the effects of the MedDiet on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).
The feeding study involved 38 men and 27 premenopausal women between 24 and 53 years old who had slightly deteriorated lipid profiles. All participants followed the isocaloric MedDiet for four weeks. At baseline, female participants had higher hs-CRP concentrations than the men did.
While no sex difference was observed in hs-CRP response, when subgroups were formed according to hs-CRP concentration before the MedDiet phase, men with elevated baseline values saw a reduction in hs-CRP over time. But, an increase was observed in men with lower baseline values. This pattern of change was not observed in women.
Researchers have concluded men and women have similar effects from the MedDiet on systemic inflammation. But the overall inflammatory status seems to be more greatly influenced only in men.
