Amel Zoubeyda Merzouk¹, Hafida Merzouk^1,, Meriem Benyelles¹, Mohammed Benmansour², Nassima Mokhtari-Soulimane¹

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and coffee consumption offer several health benefits and could be recommended for the elderly. The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative stress markers and lipid levels in relation to MedDiet adherence and coffee intake in Algerian older women. Volunteer women aged over 65 years were recruited. Specific questionnaires were used to assess MedDiet adherence, nutritional status (MNA) and coffee intake. Blood lipids and oxidant/antioxidant markers were investigated with biochemical methods. The results showed that older women with low MedDiet adherence were at risk of malnutrition, with lower BMI, altered lipids (reduction in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol) and redox profile (reduction in antioxidants and increase in pro-oxidants) compared to older women with high MedDiet adherence, regardless of coffee consumption. Coffee consumption modulated plasma lipids and markers of oxidative stress similarly in women with low or high MedDiet adherence. High coffee intake increased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in older women while moderate coffee intake did not affect plasma lipids but induced a reduction in pro-oxidant markers (peroxynitrite, malondialdehyde and carbonyl proteins) and an increase in antioxidants (reduced glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase). In conclusion, a Mediterranean-style diet may have protective effects against oxidative stress and may improve lipid profile in older women. At the same time, moderate coffee consumption is also responsible for beneficial antioxidant effects.

older women, Mediterranean diet, coffee intake, oxidative stress, lipids