Mediterranean Diet and Sports Performance
Author Information
Author(s): Mantzioris Evangeline, Villani Anthony, Forsyth Adrienne
Primary Institution: University of South Australia
Hypothesis
What is the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and performance and health outcomes in athletes?
Conclusion
The review found limited evidence on the impact of the Mediterranean Diet on athletic performance and health outcomes, highlighting the need for more robust studies.
Supporting Evidence
- 32 studies were included in the review, with 23 observational studies, 6 randomized controlled trials, and 3 quasi-experimental studies.
- Most studies reported moderate adherence to the Mediterranean Diet.
- Only one RCT directly evaluated performance outcomes related to the Mediterranean Diet.
Takeaway
Eating a Mediterranean Diet might be good for athletes, but we need more studies to see how it really helps them perform better.
Methodology
A scoping review of studies on the Mediterranean Diet and athletic performance was conducted, including searches of five bibliographic databases.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the quality of studies and the lack of blinding in RCTs.
Limitations
Most studies were conducted in Mediterranean countries, and there is a lack of high-quality intervention studies.
Participant Demographics
Participants included athletes of various ages and calibers, primarily from Mediterranean countries.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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