A study has found that individuals following a plant-rich Green Mediterranean diet, referred to as Green-MED, had significantly higher blood folate levels compared to those adhering to a traditional Mediterranean diet or standard healthy eating guidelines. The research indicates that higher folate levels are linked to various improvements in health metrics, including better insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, lower visceral and liver fat, and healthier blood lipid profiles.
Read More
The findings suggest that the Green-MED diet could be particularly beneficial for individuals with a common gene variant associated with impaired folate metabolism. Those who closely followed the Green-MED plan exhibited lower cardiovascular risk scores. This diet not only helps improve folate status but also may activate other genetic pathways that assist in folate processing.
Published in Clinical Nutrition, the study draws on data from the DIRECT-PLUS randomized controlled trial, which aimed to examine if a more plant-focused diet rich in polyphenols could promote better metabolic health compared to standard dietary plans. Participants following the Green-MED diet experienced notable increases in blood folate levels and improvements in key health indicators.
Specifically, the results highlighted better insulin sensitivity, lower levels of the inflammatory marker interleukin-6, and reductions in visceral and liver fat. Folate plays a crucial role in one-carbon metabolism, aiding in DNA regulation and cellular repair. According to Şebnem Ünlüişler, a genetic engineer at the London Regenerative Institute, efficient folate metabolism is vital for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
The study focused on the MTHFR gene variant, rs1801133, which affects approximately 10-15% of people globally. Those with two copies of the TT genotype often have reduced enzyme activity, leading to challenges in folate metabolism. Participants consumed a daily shake containing mankai, or duckweed, a plant rich in protein, fiber, minerals, and naturally occurring folate. Those with the TT genotype who consumed little mankai saw an increase in cardiovascular risk scores, while adherence to the mankai-enhanced Green-MED diet correlated with a significant reduction in risk scores.
Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, explained that the Green Mediterranean diet essentially builds upon the traditional Mediterranean diet but includes more plant-based foods like green tea, walnuts, and the daily mankai shake. However, she emphasized that focusing overall on dietary patterns, instead of single foods, is critical for optimal health.
Additionally, the study discovered that participants with the TT genotype showed increased activity in alternative folate-processing pathways after consuming higher amounts of plant nutrients. This suggests potential compensatory mechanisms for reduced MTHFR function. Research indicated folate’s role as an ‘epigenetic pencil’ that may influence gene activity without changing the DNA itself.
The study's results may pave the way for precision nutrition approaches tailored to individual genetic profiles. While the findings are encouraging, researchers note the need for further investigations to clarify the specific contributions of folate and mankai to health improvements. The interaction between nutrition and genetic function highlights the potential for dietary strategies to mitigate inherited metabolic risks.