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Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower platelet and leukocyte counts: results from the
Marialaura Bonaccio1, Augusto Di Castelnuovo, Amalia De Curtis
1Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy.
Abstract:
Platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts are 2 markers of inflammation and have been linked to the risk for cerebrovascular and coronary heart disease. A Mediterranean diet (MD) has been associated with reduced inflammation and mortality for major chronic diseases. We aimed at evaluating the association between the MD and both PLT and WBC counts. This cross-sectional analysis in a population-based cohort study included 14,586 healthy Italian citizens enrolled within the Moli-sani study. Adherence to MD was appraised by either the MD Score (MDS) or the Italian Mediterranean Index (IMI). PLT and WBC counts were both inversely related to MD adherence (MDS: P < .0001 and P = .008, respectively). As compared with those with poorer MD adherence, subjects with greater adherence had both reduced odds of being in the highest PLT-count group (MDS: odds ratio = 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.80) and increased odds of being in the lowest WBC-count group (IMI: odds ratio = 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.86). The association between WBC count and MDS disappeared when further adjusted for PLT count, whereas the association between PLT count and the MD was not affected by adjustment for WBCs. Food antioxidant and dietary fiber content modified the inverse association between MDS and WBC count and partially accounted for the association with PLTs.
Insights
A Mediterranean diet is linked to lower platelet and white blood cell counts, key inflammation markers. Greater adherence to this diet may reduce cardiovascular disease risk by lowering these inflammatory indicators.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Health
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Inflammation Biomarkers
Background:
- Platelet (PLT) and white blood cell (WBC) counts are established inflammation markers associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
- The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties and links to reduced chronic disease mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between adherence to a Mediterranean diet and circulating PLT and WBC counts.
- To determine if MD adherence influences key inflammatory markers relevant to cardiovascular health.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 14,586 healthy Italian adults from the Moli-sani study.
- Assessed MD adherence using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Italian Mediterranean Index (IMI).
- Analyzed the relationship between MD adherence and PLT/WBC counts, including odds ratios for extreme count groups.
Main Results:
- Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with both PLT and WBC counts.
- Individuals with greater MD adherence showed reduced odds of high PLT counts and increased odds of low WBC counts.
- The association between WBC count and MD weakened when adjusted for PLT count, suggesting PLTs may mediate part of this relationship.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to a Mediterranean diet is associated with lower levels of key inflammation markers, PLT and WBC counts.
- Dietary components like antioxidants and fiber in the MD may contribute to these observed reductions in inflammatory markers.
- Findings support the role of the Mediterranean diet in mitigating inflammation and potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
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