Mediterranean diet positively linked with cardiac autonomic function

A Mediterranean dietary pattern among middle-aged men was associated with higher heart rate variability, leading researchers to conclude that it may lower the rate of CV events.

The group of U.S. researchers administered the Willett Food Frequency Questionnaire to 276 middle-aged male twins. Ninety-four percent were non-Hispanic white, 3% African-American and 3% other race/ethnic group. The researchers derived a score measuring the extent to which an individual’s diet conformed to the Mediterranean diet. This diet incorporated seven desirable components: cereals, vegetables, fruits and nuts, legumes, fish, a high dietary ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids (as reflected in high olive oil consumption) and moderate alcohol consumption; and two undesirable components: meat and dairy food products.

After adjusting for energy intake, other nutritional factors, shared genes and common environment, a one-unit higher Mediterranean diet score was associated with 3.9% to 13% higher time and frequency domain heart rate variability parameters. This positive association was independent of genes, shared environmental factors and known CV risk factors. Additionally, dizygotic twin pairs had larger differences in several heart rate variability measures than monozygotic twin pairs, implying what the researchers said they believe is a shared genetic pathway between the diet and heart rate variability. Further controlling for known CV risk factors and consumption of fish oil supplements and medications did not significantly change estimates.

“Our study demonstrates for the first time a positive association between the Mediterranean dietary pattern and heart rate variability” and suggests “that autonomic tone may be one of mechanisms linking the Mediterranean diet to a lower rate of CV events,” the researchers concluded.

Dai J. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes. 2010;doi:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.109.905810.

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