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Life
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Diet and Vascular Disease
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Diet and Vascular Disease

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Epidemiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 March 2025) | Viewed by 9477

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Natale Musso

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova, Italy
Interests: catecholamines; ABPM; dietary sodium; blood pressure measurement
Dr. Federico Gatto

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, 16132, Gonova, Italy
Interests: pituitary; diabetes insipidus; SIADH; salt intake; secondary hypertension
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The dietary approach plays a primary role in vascular and heart disease. Although a reduction in dietary salt is recommended as the main approach in hypertension, kidney diseases and heart failure, much debate still exists about how low a low-sodium diet should be; in recent years a great discussion among scientists has been ignited and many papers have expressed different views. In fact, even the methods for the evaluation of sodium intake are under scrutiny. Furthermore, although table salt represents the common source of dietary sodium, confusion still exists in the literature about salt and sodium amounts, weights and roles.

Diet is a basic step in the treatment of dyslipidaemias, too, even if the pharmacological approach remains irreplaceable in cardiovascular prevention.

Additionally, in the secondary forms of hypertension, sodium has been shown to play a strong role in inducing target organ damage, such as left ventricular hypertrophy.

In this Special Issue of the journal Life, some international authors active in these research sectors will review the evidence on the role of dietary factors in the pathophysiology of the vascular diseases and in the induction of organ damage, clarifying the different views in this relevant field and contributing to this fierce debate.

Dr. Natale Musso
Dr. Federico Gatto
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiovascular disease
  • cardiovascular risk
  • diet
  • dyslipidaemias
  • heart failure
  • human
  • hypertension
  • sodium
  • salt

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1300 KiB  
Article
The Neural Basis of Salt Perception: A Focus on Potassium Chloride as a Sodium Alternative
by Emilia Iannilli, Raffaela Fürer, Antje Welge-Lüssen and Thomas Hummel
Life 2025, 15(2), 207; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020207 - 30 Jan 2025
Viewed by 833
Abstract
Excessive dietary sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, prompting interest in potassium chloride (KCl) as a sodium chloride (NaCl) alternative. While KCl preserves saltiness, its neural processing compared to NaCl remains underexplored. This study investigates the neural correlates of taste [...] Read more.
Excessive dietary sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, prompting interest in potassium chloride (KCl) as a sodium chloride (NaCl) alternative. While KCl preserves saltiness, its neural processing compared to NaCl remains underexplored. This study investigates the neural correlates of taste perception for NaCl, KCl, and their mixture using gustatory event-related potentials (ERPs) in a sample of 28 healthy young adults. Participants rated the intensity, saltiness, and pleasantness of the stimuli, which were matched for iso-intensity and iso-pleasantness. High-density EEG data revealed distinct microstate patterns associated with each condition, particularly in the later stages of processing, which align with the endogenous phases of taste perception. Source localization identified the insula and opercular regions as primary sites for gustatory processing, with specific differences in activation patterns between NaCl and KCl. These findings suggest that while KCl elicits comparable behavioral responses to NaCl, its neural representation involves unique processes that may reflect its distinct chemical properties. This study advances our understanding of the neural dynamics of salt taste perception, providing insights into the potential use of KCl as a potentially healthier alternative in dietary interventions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Vascular Disease)
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20 pages, 846 KiB  
Article
The Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Hypertriglyceridemic Waist Based on Sociodemographic Variables and Healthy Habits in Healthcare Workers: A Retrospective Study
by Pedro Javier Tárraga Marcos, Ángel Arturo López-González, Emilio Martínez-Almoyna Rifá, Hernán Paublini Oliveira, Cristina Martorell Sánchez, Pedro Juan Tárraga López and José Ignacio Ramírez-Manent
Life 2025, 15(1), 81; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15010081 - 10 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1063
Abstract
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTW) are two multifactorial pathological conditions that have been increasing in prevalence worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate how various sociodemographic variables and healthy habits are associated with the presence or absence [...] Read more.
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTW) are two multifactorial pathological conditions that have been increasing in prevalence worldwide. The objective of this study was to evaluate how various sociodemographic variables and healthy habits are associated with the presence or absence of MetS and HTW. Methodology: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, consisting of a retrospective longitudinal study and a cross-sectional descriptive study, analyzing 44,939 healthcare workers with MS and HTW across four professional categories to evaluate the relationship between age, sex, smoking, physical activity, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet using three diagnostic criteria. Descriptive analysis included categorical and quantitative variables, which were assessed through frequencies, Student’s t-test, chi-square, and binary logistic regression models. Logistic regression and Cohen’s kappa were used to evaluate associations and concordances. Age, sex, and lack of physical activity showed the strongest associations with MetS (OR: 2.65–2.84). The results highlight the importance of physical activity and other factors in metabolic prevention. Results: Age, sex, and physical activity were the variables most strongly associated with MetS and HTW across the three evaluated diagnostic criteria. The odds ratios revealed significant values: age (9.07–13.71 for MetS and 13.42 for HTW), sex (2.82–3.31 for MetS and 3.72 for HTW), and physical activity (2.65–2.84 for MetS and 2.40 for HTW). Conclusions: The risk of developing MetS and HTW among healthcare personnel is influenced by lifestyle habits, sex, and age, with the highest ORs observed in nursing assistants and orderlies. Future research that delves deeper into the causal relationship between lifestyle factors and the severity of MetS and HTW in healthcare personnel will improve understanding and facilitate the development of preventive activities to reduce their incidence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Vascular Disease)
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Review

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62 pages, 574 KiB  
Review
The Association between Food Groups, Nutraceuticals, and Food Supplements Consumption on Vascular Health Outcomes: A Literature Review
by Xenophon Theodoridis, Michail Chourdakis, Androniki Papaemmanouil, Stavroula Chaloulakou, Niki Papageorgiou, Athina Vasiliki Georgakou, Georgios Chatzis and Areti Triantafyllou
Life 2024, 14(9), 1210; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091210 - 23 Sep 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1514
Abstract
Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in [...] Read more.
Vascular aging, marked by alterations in the structure and function of blood vessels, including heightened arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular and age-associated pathological conditions. Oxidative stress and inflammation are key stimulation factors in vascular aging. Engaging in healthy dietary habits could enhance the functioning of blood vessels. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review of the evidence regarding the relationship between food regimens, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements and vascular health. A search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection, was performed. Experimental and observational studies evaluating the association between food groups, nutraceuticals, supplements, and endothelial function and/or arterial stiffness were deemed eligible for this narrative review. Based on the current body of the included studies, food groups, nutraceuticals, and dietary supplements may not demonstrate superiority over placebos in enhancing markers of vascular health. To obtain more reliable evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in vascular health, additional RCTs with larger sample sizes, extended follow-up periods, and multi-center participation are necessary. Enhancing the credibility of these RCTs requires better control of dietary variables and more precise measurement of vascular health markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Vascular Disease)
12 pages, 881 KiB  
Review
From a Cup of Tea to Cardiovascular Care: Vascular Mechanisms of Action
by Marios Sagris, Panayotis K. Vlachakis, Spyridon Simantiris, Panagiotis Theofilis, Maria Gerogianni, Paschalis Karakasis, Konstantinos Tsioufis and Dimitris Tousoulis
Life 2024, 14(9), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14091168 - 15 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2068
Abstract
Tea consumption is increasingly recognized for its potential benefits to cardiovascular health. This study reviews the available research, concentrating on the major components of tea and their mechanisms of action in the cardiovascular system. Tea is abundant in bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids [...] Read more.
Tea consumption is increasingly recognized for its potential benefits to cardiovascular health. This study reviews the available research, concentrating on the major components of tea and their mechanisms of action in the cardiovascular system. Tea is abundant in bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and polysaccharides, which possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These compounds play a crucial role in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby supporting cardiovascular health. They enhance endothelial function, leading to improved vascular relaxation and reduced arterial stiffness, and exhibit antithrombotic effects. Additionally, regular tea consumption is potentially associated with better regulation of blood pressure, improved cholesterol profiles, and effective blood sugar control. It has been suggested that incorporating tea into daily dietary habits could be a practical strategy for cardiovascular disease prevention and management. Despite the promising evidence, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish standardized consumption recommendations and fully understand long-term effects. This review offers a more comprehensive analysis of the current evidence based on endothelium function and identifies the gaps that future research should address. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Vascular Disease)
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24 pages, 346 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Diet on Vascular Aging: A Narrative Review of the Available Literature
by Xenophon Theodoridis, Michail Chourdakis, Androniki Papaemmanouil, Stavroula Chaloulakou, Athina Vasiliki Georgakou, Georgios Chatzis and Areti Triantafyllou
Life 2024, 14(2), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14020267 - 17 Feb 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3389
Abstract
Early vascular aging is related to various cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Healthful lifestyle practices and interventions, including dietary regimens and consistent aerobic exercise, exert favorable modulation on these processes, thereby diminishing the risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing [...] Read more.
Early vascular aging is related to various cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Healthful lifestyle practices and interventions, including dietary regimens and consistent aerobic exercise, exert favorable modulation on these processes, thereby diminishing the risk of cardiovascular disease with advancing age. The principal objective of this review was to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and synthesis of the available literature regarding the effectiveness of different diets on vascular health, such as arterial stiffness and endothelial function. To conduct this review, a thorough search of electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection was carried out. Based on the existing evidence, the Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and low-calorie diets may have a beneficial effect on vascular health. However, more randomized controlled trials with sufficient sample sizes, longer follow-ups, rigorous methodologies, and, possibly, head-to-head comparisons between the different diets are needed to shed light on this topic. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Vascular Disease)
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