A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, shellfish, whole grains and vegetables has previously been linked to a number of benefits, and is well known to be effective in helping healthy people live longer. However, until now there has been little evidence of how it can help people at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. These include hundreds of millions of people living with obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, as well as those who are sedentary, smoke, or drink alcohol.
Nutritionists currently recommend a variety of diets for people at increased risk of heart disease, but these are generally based on low-certainty evidence. A large new study, the first of its kind in the world, has provided evidence that Mediterranean and low-fat diets reduce the chance of death and heart attack in people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers from the United States, Canada, China, Spain, Colombia, and Brazil reviewed 40 trials with 35,548 participants followed for an average of three years in seven dietary programs.
The seven diets were: Mediterranean, low-fat, very-low-fat, modified-fat, low-fat/low-sodium, Ornish (vegetarian diet low in fat and refined sugar), and Pritikin (restricted plant-based diet). ). processed foods).
Scientists estimate that Mediterranean diet programs are better than minimal intervention in preventing all-cause mortality, non-fatal heart attack, and stroke in people at risk for cardiovascular disease. Low-fat programs also outperformed minimal intervention with moderate confidence in preventing all-cause mortality and non-fatal heart attack. Overall, the other five dietary programs had little or no benefit compared with a minimal intervention, generally based on low to moderate-certainty evidence.
According to Tracey Parker, chief dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, cited by The Guardian, the Mediterranean diet reduces risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. “It’s easy to do: Make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, fish, nuts and seeds, and lean dairy and fat from unsaturated sources like olive oil. It’s also important to eat less processed meat. “Salt and sweets,” he explained.
