- An analysis of diet trials concluded that a Mediterranean diet was best for overall cardiovascular health, followed closely by a low-fat diet.
- The Mediterranean diet emphasizes fish, fruits, vegetables, and monounsaturated fats such as olive oil.
- Researchers assessed seven diets: the Mediterranean diet, low-fat diets, very-low-fat diets, modified-fat diets, combined low-fat and low-sodium diets, and the Ornish and Pritikin diets.
- A low-fat diet that also reduced sodium intake did not fare as well as a low-fat diet without salt reduction, potentially demonstrating the difficulties involved in conducting randomized, controlled trials such as those under review.
A new review of randomized, controlled trials finds that for people at risk of cardiovascular disease, the Mediterranean diet or a low-fat diet are the healthiest options.
The trials investigated the health benefits of seven diets: the Mediterranean diet, low-fat diets, very-low-fat diets, modified fat diets, combined low-fat and low-sodium diets, the Ornish diet, and the Pritikin diet, compared to not being on any particular diet at all.
The review found the Mediterranean diet reduced the likelihood of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, stroke, and non-fatal heart attacks.
Low-fat diets reduced the risk of all-cause mortality, non-fatal heart attacks, and unplanned cardiovascular interventions. The other diets showed no convincing evidence of increasing cardiovascular health, although a low-fat diet and low-sodium (salt) diet may be of benefit to people at high risk of stroke.
The 40 trials included in the review involved 35,548 participants who were followed for an average of three years from the start of trials. Adults who had cardiovascular disease, or who had two or more cardiovascular risk factors, were the primary focus of the review.
The study is published in
The Mediterranean and many low-fat diets involve an emphasis on vegetables and fruits. The Mediterranean diet also increases the intake of…
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