Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults (40-80 y.o.) * Non-clinically diagnosed for cardiometabolic diseases at baseline examination * At least one of the following risk factors: overweight or obese, central obesity (waist:hip ratio \> 0.90 in males and \> 0.85 in females or waist circumference ≥ 94 cm in males and ≥ 80 cm in females), hypertension (systolic BP \> 130 or diastolic BP \> 85 mm Hg), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (\< 40 mg/dL (1.03 mmol/L) in males, \< 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in females), or elevated total cholesterol (≥ 200 mg/dL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (≥ 130 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L)), triglyceride (\> 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)), fasting glucose (\> 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L)) levels, or microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 μg/min or albumin:creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g). Exclusion Criteria: * BMI \< 18.5 or \> 34.9 kg/m² * Past cardiovascular events and metabolic diseases including diabetes * Inflammatory bowel diseases or gastro-intestinal surgery (other than appendectomy) * Cholecystectomy within the past 5 years * Renal or hepatic diseases * Levels of estimated Glomerular Filtration (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m² * Aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 2.5 times the upper limits of normal * Immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases (other than well-compensated hypothyroidism) * Mental disorders * Hormone therapy (other than that used for hypothyroidism, birth-control or menopause symptoms) * Antibiotic therapy within the last month before the study * Food allergies associated with the consumption of plant foods or foods that will be provided in the study * Difficulties or major inconveniences in changing dietary habits or adhering to a plant-based Mediterranean-type diet * Presence of chewing or swallowing disorders * Pregnancy or lactation