From hot flashes to harmony: Mediterranean diet, menopausal symptoms, and cardiovascular risk awareness

This study examined the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), menopausal symptoms, quality of life, and cardiovascular disease risk awareness in women.

Data were collected from Türkiye women at premenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal stages (n = 702) through face-to-face interviews using a sociodemographic form, the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Scale (MEDAS), Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Kupperman Index (KI), Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Awareness Assessment Questionnaire (CDRAAQ). Correlation and regression analyses were performed (P < 0.05).

The mean age was 52.2 ± 8.3 years, with a mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 26.5 ± 4.6 kg/m². Women with higher MD adherence had significantly lower BMI (P = 0.036). Greater adherence was associated with fewer psychological complaints (P = 0.019), lower KI scores (P = 0.041), and higher cardiovascular disease risk awareness (P = 0.001). Regression analyses showed that each one-point increase in MEDAS predicted reductions in BMI, psychological and total MRS scores, and KI scores, as well as increases in cardiovascular risk awareness (P < 0.001). No significant associations were found for somatic or urogenital symptoms, and MENQOL-heart attack/stroke risk.

Higher adherence to MD was linked to lower BMI, milder menopausal symptoms, and improved awareness of cardiovascular risk, highlighting its potential role in promoting women's health during menopause.