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The Combined Effect of the Mediterranean Diet and Intermittent Fasting on Hypertension

The Combined Effect of the Mediterranean Diet and Intermittent Fasting on Hypertension

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07189637
Enrollment
48
Registered
2025-09-24
Start date
2025-11-01
Completion date
2026-07-01
Last updated
2025-09-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypertension

Keywords

Hypertension, Cardiovascular diseases, DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, Intermittent fasting

Brief summary

Hypertension (HT) is an important risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and death. Approximately 16.9 million people in Turkey have HT. Nutritional habits play an important role in the development of HT. DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) and the Mediterranean diet (MD) have been found to be effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiometabolic risks. The DASH diet stands out with its low sodium, saturated fat, simple sugar and cholesterol content, while it is rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium and anti-inflammatory components. The MD is based on healthy foods such as olive oil, vegetables, fruits, fish and nuts, and contains antioxidants and healthy fatty acids. This study will investigate whether the sodium-restricted MD can offer a model comparable to DASH. In addition, the effects of the intermittent fasting diet (IFD) model alone and in combination with the MD on blood pressure will be examined. It has been observed that IFD reduces blood pressure by reducing energy intake and acting on the autonomic nervous system. The aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of MD, IFD and both of them on hypertension and to present a new and original approach in this field.

Interventions

OTHERFace-to-face nutrition education

All participants will receive face-to-face nutrition education from specialist dietitians in accordance with the principles of nutrition for hypertension. Nutrition education will be provided through prepared brochures. The brochures will be given to participants as gifts. Nutrition education will cover topics such as hypertension and nutrition, nutrients, the importance of micronutrients, foods containing salt, reading labels, limiting salt consumption, healthy fat consumption, fibre consumption, water consumption, and healthy cooking methods.

Training will be provided to all participants through a food and nutrition photo catalogue so that portions can be recorded correctly and within standard limits when keeping a food diary. Participants will restrict their food intake to a 16-hour period by applying the 16/8 Intermittent Fasting Diet model and will eat and drink whatever they want during the remaining 8 hours. During this 16-hour period, they will consume non-energy drinks consisting of water, unsweetened tea, unsweetened herbal teas and black coffee. It will be recommended that intermittent fasting be maintained from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. However, participants may also choose other 16-hour periods, such as 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m. Participants will be given a tracking chart to record the first and last times they consume food or energy-containing beverages during the day, and their adherence to the diet will be monitored based on their declarations.

OTHERMediterranean Diet

Training will be provided to all participants through a food and nutrition photo catalogue to ensure that portions are recorded correctly and within standard limits when keeping a food diary. In addition, the dietician will provide this group with a diet plan calculated for energy, macro and micro nutrients, which will be different each week for the first four follow-ups. The diet plans provided will be prepared in accordance with the Mediterranean Diet food pyramid. Participants' energy requirements will be calculated using the Schofield Equation for basal metabolic rate, with adjustments made according to their physical activity levels. Energy requirements will be met by 45-50% from carbohydrates, 15-20% from protein, and 25-35% from fats.

Sponsors

Medipol University
CollaboratorOTHER
Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Fenerbahce University
CollaboratorOTHER
Nadide Gizem Tarakci Filiz
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
40 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Newly diagnosed hypertension patients * Individuals with blood pressure \>140/90 mmHg * Individuals with a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 18.5-25 kg/m² * Individuals aged 40-65 years

Exclusion criteria

Participants will be excluded if they have any of the following: * Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus * Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus * Cardiovascular disease * Liver disease * Kidney disease * Gastrointestinal disease * Respiratory disease * Psychiatric disorders * Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding * Severe food allergies * Current smokers or individuals consuming alcohol regularly * History of major surgery within the last 6 months

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Blood pressureAt enrollment, 1 week later than enrollment, 2 weeks later than enrollment, 3 weeks later than enrollment, 4 weeks later than enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThe participants' blood pressure will be measured six times in this research. Blood pressure measurements will be taken by a trained physician in accordance with standard measurement protocols. Measurements will be taken after a 5-minute rest period, with the patient seated, using an automatic blood pressure monitor with the correct cuff size applied to the arm. Two consecutive measurements will be taken for each patient, with at least 1 minute between measurements. The average of the two measurements obtained will be used in the analyses. The following points will be taken into consideration during the measurements. * Patients should not have smoked, consumed caffeine, or exercised in the last 30 minutes * During the measurement, the patient should be leaning back with their feet flat on the floor * The arm being measured should be supported at heart level Blood pressure values will be evaluated according to the 2023 ESC/ESH hypertension guidelines.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Height in cmAt enrollment, 1 week later than enrollment, 2 weeks later than enrollment, 3 weeks later than enrollment, 4 weeks later than enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentHeight measurement will be taken by a specialist dietician. It will be performed in accordance with the measurement techniques and standards recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Participants' heights will be measured barefoot using a stadiometer with an accuracy of 0.01 m.
Body weight in kgAt enrollment, 1 week later than enrollment, 2 weeks later than enrollment, 3 weeks later than enrollment, 4 weeks later than enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentBody weight measurement will be taken by a specialist dietician. It will be performed in accordance with the measurement techniques and standards recommended by the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry. Body weight and body composition will be measured using a body composition analyser with a precision of 0.1 kg. The participants' clothing weight (1.0 kg) will be recorded on the analyser before measurement. Measurements will be taken barefoot and with participants wearing light clothing. Metal objects on participants will be removed.
Body Mass Index (BMI) in kg/m²At enrollment, 1 week later than enrollment, 2 weeks later than enrollment, 3 weeks later than enrollment, 4 weeks later than enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentBody Mass Index (BMI) will be used to assess whether an individual's body weight is appropriate for their height. It is calculated by dividing a person's body weight, measured in kilograms (kg), by the square of their height, measured in meters (m). Since height will be measured in centimeters (cm), it will first be converted into meters. This will be done by dividing the height in centimeters by 100.
Waist circumference in cmAt enrollment, 1 week later than enrollment, 2 weeks later than enrollment, 3 weeks later than enrollment, 4 weeks later than enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentWaist circumference: Waist circumference will be taken by a specialist dietician. It will be measured at the narrowest point of the waist with the individual standing upright and without any clothing around the waist. Measurements will be taken with a tape measure, ensuring it is in contact with the skin without applying excessive pressure.
Fasting plasma glucose in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: 70-99 mg/dL
HbA1c in %At enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: \< 5.7% (normal), 5.7-6.4% (prediabetes), ≥ 6.5% (diabetes)
Insulin in µU/mLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: 2-25 µU/mL
Triglycerides in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: \< 150 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: Men: ≥ 40 mg/dL Women: ≥ 50 mg/dL
AST in U/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: Men: \< 40 U/L; Women: \< 32 U/L
Total cholesterol in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: \< 200 mg/dL
Urea in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: 7-20 mg/dL
Creatinine in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: Men: 0.7-1.3 mg/dL Women: 0.6-1.1 mg/dL
Sodium in mmol/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: 135-145 mmol/L
Potassium in mmol/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: 3.5-5.0 mmol/L
hs-CRP in mg/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: \< 1 mg/L (low cardiovascular risk), 1-3 mg/L (intermediate risk), \> 3 mg/L (high risk)
ALT in U/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: Men: \< 41 U/L; Women: \< 31 U/L
GGT in U/LAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: Men: 8-61 U/L; Women: 5-36 U/L
LDL cholesterol in mg/dLAt enrollment, 13 weeks later than enrollment, 26 weeks later than enrollmentThis will be obtained from blood tests. Reference values: \< 100 mg/dL

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

Primary ContactMehmet KOÇAK, PhD
mehmetkocak@medipol.edu.tr+90 530 097 75 33
Backup ContactRüken Aslınur SAMANCI, MSc
rasamanci@medipol.edu.tr+90 543 939 15 94

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026