Nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of mediterranean diet traditional recipes: MEDIET4ALL project
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT The Mediterranean diet (MD) is known for its high antioxidant content, which contributes to a balanced diet and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. This study, within the framework of the MEDIET4ALL project, evaluates the nutritional and antioxidant properties of selected recipes from 6 Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, France, Italy, and Spain) and 2 non-Mediterranean countries (Germany and Luxembourg). Nutritional profiles were obtained using the EasyDiet program, and antioxidants (ORAC, TEAC, and total polyphenols (TP) methods) were retrieved from databases and literature. In the African Mediterranean countries, such as Tunisia and Morocco, dishes combine animal proteins (meat, chicken) and plant-based proteins (legumes, cereals) with a high fiber content (e.g., Tunisian couscous with 10.4 g per serving), minerals such as zinc, and vitamins C, E, and carotenoids with antioxidant capacity. Mediterranean European dishes, such as Valencian paella (Spain) and ratatouille (France), feature a good balance between animal and plant proteins, along with a significant amount of fiber and healthy fats, thanks to olive oil. In non-Mediterranean European countries like Germany, königsberger meatballs combine pork and onions, providing a high protein content and a moderate lipid intake. African Mediterranean dishes like Tunisian lentil soup (2646.5 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/100 g) and Moroccan chicken vermicelli (1107 and 28,803 μmol Trolox Equivalent (TE)/100 g TEAC and ORAC, respectively) have high antioxidant capacity due to the spices and olive oil. In Mediterranean European countries, Valencian paella (12,898.1 μmol TE/100 g ORAC) and torrija with horchata (1,825.9 μmol Trolox/100 g TEAC) stand out for their antioxidant capacity or meatballs with sauce in France with 410.1 mg GAE/100 g in polyphenols. In non-Mediterranean countries, königsberger meatballs in Germany have an ORAC value of 9,823.2 μmol Trolox/100 g, and tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream in Luxembourg contains in TEAC 960 μmol Trolox/100g and 748.4 mg GAE/100g in polyphenols, highlighting their high antioxidant content. The antioxidant values highlight the functional potential of the MD, and although most non-MD have a lower antioxidant capacity, some show significant potential.
Institution: Universitat de València
Language: English
Topic: Nutritional Studies and Diet
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,580
Awards: G1096674366, G412866044
OpenAlex ID: W4416733036