Research
Macro partitioning
A Mediterranean-style diet reduces the prevalence of metabolic syndrome independently of weight loss, whereas standard low-calorie diets primarily work through weight reduction.
Adopt a Mediterranean-style diet rich in unsaturated fats, fiber, and omega-3s. This approach reduces metabolic syndrome risk even if you don't lose as much weight as on a standard low-calorie diet.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Subjects on the Mediterranean diet lost more weight but, even after accounting for this, there was a 39% reduction in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome.
Why this rating
Based on a specific randomized trial (Esposito et al.) cited in the review.
Source
Health risks associated with overweight and obesity
P Kopelman · Obesity Reviews · 2007
DOI 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2007.00311.x
narrative_reviewCited 738×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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