Researchers from Ben Gurion University in the Negev have found compelling evidence that a green Mediterranean diet can meaningfully soften the proximal walls of the aorta, which translates into a lower risk of heart and blood vessel disease. The findings, published in a leading cardiovascular journal, underscore how dietary choices influence vascular health at a structural level. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that nutrition can directly affect arterial stiffness, a key marker of cardiovascular aging that clinicians use to gauge future health risks.
In a rigorously conducted trial, about 300 participants were followed for more than 18 months. Vascular stiffness was measured using magnetic resonance imaging, a noninvasive technique praised for its precision in assessing aortic properties without exposing patients to radiation. Proximal aortic stiffness is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality, as changes in this region reflect systemic arterial aging and the burden on the heart. The research highlights how imaging-informed metrics can illuminate the impact of diet on vascular health long before clinical symptoms arise.
Compared with a standard Mediterranean pattern and a diet aligned with general healthy-eating guidelines, the green Mediterranean dietary pattern—rich in polyphenols derived from plant sources—achieved the greatest reduction in proximal aortic stiffness, with reductions of 15%, 7.3%, and 4.8% respectively. This differentiator, the high polyphenol content, appears to modulate vascular function in a meaningful way. The study represents the first demonstration that a specific diet can influence aortic stiffness, offering a potential, accessible strategy to support cardiovascular longevity through everyday food choices.