Tandem Effects of Specific Foods on Cardiometabolic Risk within the Context of Overall Dietary Patterns: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Feeding Trials

Background: Cardiometabolic (CMB) risk factors are major mediators of the effects of diet on health. Multiple foods are often consumed in tandem, yet CMB effects of individual dietary factors are often studied in isolation, leading to estimates that may not represent true effects as part of diet patterns. Objective: To quantify the effects of major foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, fish) and dietary fiber, when consumed within the context of overall diet patterns, on systolic BP, serum lipids, and glucose-insulin homeostasis. Methods: PubMed was searched through Oct 2015 to identify randomized controlled feeding studies evaluating effects of major dietary patterns on CMB factors. We included trials evaluating major dietary patterns including fruits, vegetables, nuts/seeds, whole grains, fish, and dietary fiber as major components and evaluating effects on systolic BP, serum lipids (total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, or triglycerides), or markers of glucose-insulin homeostasis (fasting pla...