A green Mediterranean diet reduces fat accumulation in the pancreas by 14 percent, according to findings from the DIRECT-PLUS clinical trial published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
The study assessed whether targeted dietary changes could influence pancreatic fat infiltration, a key factor in type 2 development.
The green Mediterranean diet is an adapted, plant-heavy version of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Participants consuming this regimen showed a 14 percent drop in pancreatic fat, compared to a 0.8 percent reduction in a control group following a standard healthy diet.
“The pancreas is the principal regulator of sugar in the blood,” Iris Shai, lead author of the research and a professor at Harvard, stated in a release reported by Pourquoi Docteur.
- Targeted Fat Reduction: The specialized plant-based diet successfully lowered fat levels inside the pancreas without shrinking the volume of healthy tissue.
- Role of Polyphenols: Consuming specific polyphenol-rich foods like Mankai aquatic plant and walnuts drove the most significant reductions in organ fat.
- Refined Carbohydrate Obstacles: Intake of refined carbs such as white bread, pasta, and cereals hindered the body’s ability to clear out pancreatic fat.
The dietary intervention placed heavy emphasis on foods rich in polyphenols, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties. Participants who consumed more than three weekly portions of Mankai or more than 5.5 portions of walnuts achieved the most pronounced decreases in pancreatic fat.
Fat accumulation in the pancreas can cause lipotoxic stress, exposing cellular tissue to excessive lipids and impairing insulin production. Researchers used MRI scans to confirm that the green Mediterranean diet cleared harmful lipids while preserving functional pancreatic tissue volume.
These metabolic improvements in blood glucose control and insulin resistance occurred independently of overall weight loss or reductions in abdominal fat. At the same time, the data showed that refined carbohydrates directly counteract the clearance of pancreatic fat deposits.
| Dietary Intervention | Pancreatic Fat Reduction | Key Dietary Components |
|---|---|---|
| Green Mediterranean Diet | 14% | Mankai plant, walnuts, high polyphenols |
| Standard Healthy Diet | 0.8% | Conventional balanced nutrition |
The underlying investigation relied on the DIRECT-PLUS clinical trial, a longitudinal study tracking participants across an 18-month timeframe. The research team utilized advanced magnetic resonance imaging protocols to quantify visceral and organ-specific fat depots with high precision.
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study link
- Pourquoi Docteur: Regional health and medical reporting coverage.
