Mediterranean dietary components are inversely associated with advanced colorectal polyps: A case-control study

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Nutritional Science
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Colorectal polyps, including adenomas and serrated adenomas, are precursors to colorectal cancer.
• Dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet (MD), are increasingly recognized for their potential role in polyp prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) and its components with the presence of advanced colorectal polyps.
• To differentiate the impact of MD adherence on advanced polyps versus non-advanced adenomas.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 206 cases with advanced polyps and 385 controls undergoing colonoscopies between 2010-2015.
• Dietary intake was assessed using a 116-item food frequency questionnaire, and adherence to MD components was evaluated based on median intake.
• Advanced polyps were defined by size, histology, or multiplicity, while controls had no polyps.

Main Results:

• Increased adherence to MD components showed a dose-response inverse association with advanced polyps (ORs ranging from 0.18 to 0.34).
• Low intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat, and high fish intake, were significantly associated with lower odds of advanced polyps.
• Adherence to MD components and specific food groups did not show a significant association with non-advanced adenomas, except for low red meat intake.

Conclusions:

• Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduced risk of developing advanced colorectal polyps.
• Specific dietary modifications, including reduced consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat, and increased fish intake, may be beneficial for preventing advanced polyps.