Scoping Review of Nutraceuticals Use in Mediterranean Diet

Abstract

Mediterranean diet, considered key to varied diets, raises whether it is necessary to supplement it with compounds like nutraceuticals to obtain more benefits. A scoping review was conducted. Nine articles were selected that compared the effects of nutraceuticals on biochemical markers (such as total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc)), weight, and blood pressure in various studies to the results observed in groups only exposed to the Mediterranean diet. The aim was to assess the impact of the Mediterranean diet with and without nutraceutical supplementation. The studies showed that, following nutraceutical intake, there were significant changes in subjects’ lipid profile, specifically decreases in TC and LDLc. We did not observe systematic information regarding blood pressure and weight changes in response to the Mediterranean diet with and without nutraceuticals. No adverse effects related to nutraceutical consumption were reported in any study. Nutraceuticals can be used to reinforce the basis of the Mediterranean diet and promote a reduction in lipid profile parameters like TC and LDLc. No significant information about triglycerides, blood pressure, or glucose levels is reported.