Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41754069›Full record

ReviewNutrients2026

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Dietary Potassium Intake: A Narrative Review of Epidemiological Evidence.

Lanfranco D'Elia, Saverio Stranges, Francesco P Cappuccio, Pasquale Strazzullo, Ferruccio Galletti

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrients, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Lanfranco D'EliaDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University of Naples Medical School, 80131 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-1782-0211
Saverio StrangesDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University of Naples Medical School, 80131 Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-5226-8373
Francesco P CappuccioWarwick Applied Health, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.ORCID 0000-0002-7842-5493
Pasquale StrazzulloInternal Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Ferruccio GallettiDepartment of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, "Federico II" University of Naples Medical School, 80131 Naples, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) is recognised as one of the most evidence-based dietary models for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Its plant-rich composition suggests an inherently high potassium intake, yet epidemiological findings on the association between MDP adherence and potassium intake remain heterogeneous. The present review aims to summarise and critically evaluate the available evidence on the association between adherence to the MDP and dietary potassium intake in the adult population.

methodsWe conducted a narrative review of observational, longitudinal and interventional studies evaluating the relationship between MDP adherence and dietary potassium intake (self-reported assessment and/or 24 h urinary potassium). MEDLINE/PubMed was searched from inception to 30 October 2025, additional studies were identified by reference screening.

resultsFrom a total of 263 studies retrieved, 10 eligible studies (7 cross-sectional, 1 longitudinal, 2 randomised controlled trials) from Europe, Asia and North America were synthesised. Questionnaire-based studies consistently indicated higher potassium intake with greater MDP adherence, whereas biomarker-based findings were more variable and often attenuated, particularly in studies relying on single or unvalidated 24 h urine collections and selected samples. Overall risk of bias was high for most observational studies, while randomised trials were generally rated as having some concerns.

conclusionsHigher MDP adherence is generally associated with higher potassium intake, but estimates vary by how MDP adherence is defined and scored, the potassium assessment method, and population context. Current evidence remains insufficient to quantify potassium's potential contribution as a candidate mediator without formal mediation analyses and robust exposure assessment, including repeated validated 24 h urine collections. Standardised scoring, routine reporting of potassium, sodium, and the Na/K ratio, and triangulation across dietary, biomarker and intervention evidence are key priorities to strengthen inference.

Indexed as

Diet, MediterraneanPatient CompliancePotassium, DietaryAdultBiomarkersHumansObservational Studies as TopicBiomarkersPotassium, Dietarycardiovascular healthdiet qualityMediterranean dietMediterranean dietary patternnutritional epidemiologypotassiumsodium-to-potassium ratio

Identifiers

PMID41754069
PMCPMC12942840

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.