Abstract

FARIA, Ivo Barbedo; SILVA, Cláudia  and  RIBEIRO, Maria Gil. Mediterranean diet and nutritional genomics: potentialities and challenges. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2017, n.11, pp.36-41. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2017.1106.

The Mediterranean Diet is characterised by the abundance of nutrients and substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and has been implicated in the prevention of cellular aging and several chronic diseases. Knowledge about the global influence of these nutrients on cell and human physiology is crucial for a better understanding of the benefits of adherence to Mediterranean Diet in health and disease. In this sense, “omic” technologies are very attractive analytical tools since they generate functionally interrelated molecular information, providing a broad and integrated level of knowledge about the action of these nutrients. Nevertheless, the current application of this methodological approach to the study of the benefits of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is currently limited, in part because of its scientific complexity and technological sophistication. The present work establishes the historical perspective of the main scientific and technological advances underlying Nutritional Genomics. In addition, it analyses the contribution of this emerging field from Nutritional Sciences to the elucidation of the mechanisms of action of Mediterranean Diet and evolution of personalised nutrition.

Keywords : Olive oil; Mediterranean Diet; Nutritional genomics; Nutrigenetics; Nutrigenomics; Genetic variation.

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