Analyzing the dietary pattern of the Spanish adult population with high cardiovascular risk, researchers have detecteda high consumption of both red meat and sausages as well as fish. But while eating a lot of sausage is associated with a higher weight and obesity rate, fish consumption is associated with a lower glucose concentration and a lower risk of diabetes.
? In Mediterranean countries, the consumption of foods characteristic of their natural diet has decreased in recent decades to increase saturated fat, especially from red meat and industrial pastries, “explains Mercedes Sotos Prieto, a researcher at the University. de Valencia and main author of a study included in the Predimed study (Prevention with Mediterranean Diet).
Analyzing the consumption patterns of meat and fish in 945 people between 55 and 80 years old and with high cardiovascular risk, Sotos and his team have identified that the intake of red meat and fish is high. Specifically, the consumption of red meat in this population reaches an average of once a day and is high compared to the dietary recommendations, since it is associated with an increase in blood pressure, diabetes and a moderate increase in total mortality, particularly for cancer and cardiovascular disease.
On the contrary, fish is included in the Mediterranean diet and has heart-healthy effects. Several hypotheses have been suggested that explain why the consumption of fish (white or blue) could be related to the risk of diabetes, and one of them is that the increase of omega 3 fatty acids in skeletal muscle cells improves sensitivity to insulin.
Regarding gender differences, the high consumption of saturated fat from the intake of red meat and sausages (7.4 +/- 4.7 times per week) was higher in the case of men. The women were shown to eat more white meat, particularly turkey and chicken. Regarding fish consumption (4.5 +/- 2.6 times per week), no significant gender differences were found.
The results have been published in the journalHospital Nutrition.
