Background: The consumption of breakfast, salty meals, red meat, whole grain products, and dark chocolate are dietary habits that influence health, but the effects on arterial stiffness have not been well-investigated. Aim. To assess the effects of selected dietary patterns on arterial stiffness, liver and renal function, inflammation, and glucose and lipid biochemical parameters.
Methods: 829 patients completed health and food frequency questionnaires, and underwent anthropometric, arterial stiffness, and blood pressure measurements. Serum concentrations of lipids, glucose, alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, creatinine, uric acid, and C-reactive protein were determined.
Results: The aspartate aminotransferase serum concentration was lower in the breakfast-consuming group (25.88 ±7.05 U/L) compared to non-consumers (27.75 ±10.67 U/L). A lower concentration of creatinine and alanine aminotransferase and a higher concentration of C-reactive protein was found in whole grain product consumers. Individuals consuming more red meat had higher alanine aminotransferase and low-density lipoprotein serum concentrations. Individuals with greater dark chocolate consumption had higher serum concentrations of uric acid (5.20 ±1.46 vs. 4.72 ±1.18) and more intensified arterial stiffness (peak-to-peak time 213.86 ±54.98 ms vs. 238.70 ±60.83 ms).
Conclusions: The investigated dietary patterns had a significant impact on serum lipid concentrations, biochemical markers of liver and renal function and inflammation, and arterial stiffness. High consumption of red meat and dark chocolate intensified cardiovascular risk, contrary to the intake of whole grain products.
Keywords: arterial stiffness; dietary patterns; glucose; lipid profile; liver function; renal function.