Green Mediterranean Diet Significantly Reduces Pancreatic Fat, Study Finds
A Ben-Gurion University study found that a green Mediterranean diet significantly reduces pancreatic fat and improves insulin resistance over 18 months, according to research conducted in Dimona.
A new study led by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers has found that a green Mediterranean diet leads to the most significant reduction in pancreatic fat over an 18-month period. Fat accumulation in the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing insulin and regulating blood sugar, can impair metabolic health.
The findings, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, stem from a secondary analysis of the DIRECT-PLUS clinical trial conducted in Dimona. The original study randomized 294 adults with abdominal obesity or dyslipidemia into three groups: general health guidelines, a standard Mediterranean diet, and a green Mediterranean diet.
Diet Composition and MRI Findings
Participants in both Mediterranean groups received 28 grams of walnuts daily. The green Mediterranean group additionally consumed green tea and a Mankai duckweed green shake, while reducing red and processed meat intake. Physical activity was incorporated into all three dietary programs.
Out of the total participants, 290 had baseline MRI scans, and 233 completed the 18-month follow-up scan. After a year and a half, pancreatic fat dropped by an average of about 2.4 percentage points in the green Mediterranean group, compared to 1.2 percentage points in the standard Mediterranean group and 0.14 percentage points in the general guidelines group. Relative to baseline, these figures represent reductions of 14%, 6.7%, and 0.8%, respectively.
Metabolic Impact and Limitations
Researchers observed that greater reductions in pancreatic fat correlated with improvements in insulin resistance. However, the study did not isolate the specific impact of individual components like Mankai or green tea, as the trial compared holistic dietary patterns. Furthermore, the majority of participants were men, and about 80% completed the follow-up imaging, which researchers noted as study limitations.
