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Effects of Mediterranean diets with low and high proportions of phytate-rich foods on the urinary phytate excretion

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Abstract

Background

Important health benefits have been reported recently to phytate intake. This includes the prevention of pathological calcifications such as renal calculi, dental calculi and cardiovascular calcification, due its action as crystallization inhibitor of calcium salts, and as preventive of cancer.

Aim of study

The aim of this study was to establish a relation between the intake of phytate, through consumption of typical components of the Mediterranean diet (including nuts), and its excretion in urine.

Methods

This study recruited participants from subjects included in a larger trial (PREDIMED) of food habits, that were assigned to one of two diet groups: (1) the Mediterranean diet with low proportion of phytate-rich food group, where participants were asked to maintain their usual diet; and (2) the Mediterranean diet with high proportion of phytate-rich food group, where participants were asked to increase phytate-rich foods in their diet. Phytate intake was assessed on the basis of a food frequency questionnaire. Urinary phytate excretion was determined in 2-h urine samples.

Results

The overall phytate consumption of the Mediterranean diet with high proportion of phytate-rich food group (672 ± 50 mg) was significantly higher than the Mediterranean diet with low proportion of phytate-rich food group (422 ± 34 mg), representing a 59% difference. Urinary phytate excretion was also significantly higher (54%) in the Mediterranean diet with high proportion of phytate-rich food group (1,016 ± 70 μg/L) than the Mediterranean diet with low proportion of phytate-rich food group (659 ± 45 μg/L).

Conclusions

Mediterranean diets high in whole cereals, legumes and nuts compared to Mediterranean diets low in these phytate-rich foods increase the urinary phytate excretion in humans.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank the participants for their collaboration, the PREDIMED personnel of the all primary care centers affiliated and specialty for M. Garcia-Valdueza, M. Moñino, M. Massot and A. Monsalvez. Financial support (project grant CTQ 2006-05640/BQU) by Dirección General de Investigación, Ministerio Español de Ciencia y Tecnologia, is gratefully recognized.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research, University Institute of Health Sciences Research (IUNICS), University of Balearic Islands, 07122, Palma, Spain

    Rafael M. Prieto, J. Perello, P. Sanchis & F. Grases

  2. University Hospital Son Dureta, Palma, Spain

    M. Fiol

  3. CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain

    Rafael M. Prieto, M. Fiol, R. Estruch, E. Ros & F. Grases

  4. Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    R. Estruch & E. Ros

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  1. Rafael M. Prieto
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Correspondence to Rafael M. Prieto.

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Prieto, R.M., Fiol, M., Perello, J. et al. Effects of Mediterranean diets with low and high proportions of phytate-rich foods on the urinary phytate excretion. Eur J Nutr 49, 321–326 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0087-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-009-0087-x

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