In the quest for a healthy heart, dietary choices play a pivotal role. One dietary pattern that stands out is the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet), renowned for its positive impact on cardiovascular health, more importantly, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the leading cause of death globally [1].
CVDs are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that includes coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions. More than four out of five CVD deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes, and one third of these deaths occur prematurely in people under 70 years of age. One of the most important behavioral risk factors associated with CVD is an unhealthy diet.
A new comprehensive study [1] delves into the long-term effects of the MedDiet on preventing heart disease. Let's unravel the study’s key findings and understand how embracing this eating pattern could be a game-changer for your heart health.
The Mediterranean Diet Essentials:
Before diving into the study in greater detail though, let's understand what makes the MedDiet unique. This heart-healthy diet is characterized by a rich consumption of olive oil (the main source of fat), fruits, nuts, vegetables, and cereals, coupled with moderate intake of fish and poultry. Conversely, it limits dairy products, red meat, processed meats, and sweets, with moderate wine consumption during meals. The synergy among these elements is believed to contribute to the MedDiet's profound health benefits.
The Study in a Nutshell:
Led by Dr. Sneha Annie Sebastian and her team, the study analyzed data from four Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) involving 10,054 participants with an average age of 57 years. These trials explored the impact of the MedDiet on cardiovascular health, spanning a follow-up duration of 2 to 7 years. What is an RCT? It is a study design that randomly assigns participants into an experimental group or a control group to measure the effectiveness of an intervention or treatment. RCTs are considered to be the “gold standard” in medical and health research due to their rigorous design.
Three Key Findings:
- Reduced Major Cardiovascular Events:
- Participants on the MedDiet showed a significant 48% reduction in Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, such as heart attacks and strokes
- Decreased Incidence of Cardiovascular Events:
- The MedDiet group exhibited a remarkable decrease in the incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke by 38% and 37%, respectively. A myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops in one of the coronary arteries of the heart, causing infarction (tissue death) to the heart muscle
- Lower Cardiovascular Mortality:
- The MedDiet significantly reduced the risk of cardiovascular-related death by 46%
The study’s findings highlight the efficacy of the MedDiet in both primary and secondary prevention of CVD. The substantial reductions in Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events, heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular mortality underscore its potential as a long-term intervention for heart health.
Conveniently Unlock the Potential of the MedDiet with Olivino:
Embrace the MedDiet to unlock the potential for a healthier heart and a thriving cardiovascular future! Your heart deserves the best. US News & World Report agrees [3] --the MedDiet is the BEST heart healthy way to eat! And if you aren’t eating a MedDiet, conveniently get the cardiovascular benefits of three key fruits of the world’s healthiest way to eat with Olivino Essential!
[1] https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1