Following a Mediterranean diet is an “effective, cost-efficient lifestyle approach” to reducing the burden of autoimmune disorders, new research has demonstrated.
A recent study has found that a Mediterranean diet can particularly improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s disease.
Components of the Mediterranean diet can combat inflammatory processes caused by autoimmune conditions, the findings have revealed.
Researchers have said that combining a Mediterranean diet with exercise offer the best benefits to people living with rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto’s disease.
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Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs.
This happens because the immune system, which normally protects against foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses, gets confused and targets the body’s own cells.
Rheumatoid arthritis is considered as a systemic autoimmune disease, while Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is classed as an organ-specific disease.
Popular in Italy, Greece and Spain, the Mediterranean diet is rich in grains, olive oil, fibre, legumes, fruits, vegetables and nuts.
People following the Mediterranean diet will also consume a moderate intake of poultry, fish and wine.
Prior research has revealed that a Mediterranean diet can trigger the development of beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.
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During the trial, adults with rheumatoid arthritis who followed a Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks experienced a greater reduction in symptoms compared to those following other diets.
In addition, they had a better body composition, body weight, blood glucose levels, and plasma vitamin D levels compared to those not following the Mediterranean diet.
The authors said: “Encouraging adherence to the Mediterranean diet could serve as an effective, cost-efficient lifestyle approach to reduce the burden of autoimmune disorders in modern societies.”
Read more in Nutrients.
