Insufficient Consumption of Key Foods Linked to Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Finds Global Study by McMaster University and Population Research Health Institute
A recent global study conducted by researchers at McMaster University and the Population Research Health Institute (PHRI) has identified a connection between the inadequate consumption of six key foods and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). These key foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole-fat dairy products.
The study, spearheaded by McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences researchers at PHRI, emphasized the importance of consuming these specific foods in combination to lower the risk of CVD, which includes heart attacks and strokes. Furthermore, the research highlighted that adopting a healthy diet can be achieved through various approaches, such as incorporating moderate amounts of whole grains or unprocessed meats.
Unlike previous studies that focused mainly on Western countries and diets consisting of both harmful ultra-processed foods and nutrient-dense foods, this research took a global perspective and concentrated on commonly regarded healthy foods. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 18 million people died from CVD in 2019, accounting for 32 percent of all global deaths, with 85 percent of these deaths attributed to heart attacks and strokes. To obtain comprehensive data, PHRI researchers and their global collaborators analyzed information from 245,000 people across 80 countries from multiple studies. The findings of this study were recently published in the European Heart Journal.
To assess dietary patterns, researchers derived a diet score from PHRI’s ongoing large-scale global Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, and then replicated the score in five independent studies to measure health outcomes across different regions and among individuals with and without prior CVD.
Senior author and principal investigator of PURE, Salim Yusuf, commented, “Previous diet scores… tested the relationship of diet to CVD and death mainly in Western countries. The PURE Healthy Diet Score included a good representation of high, middle, and low-income countries.” The PURE Healthy Diet Score stands out as it focuses solely on protective, or natural, foods.
Lead author Andrew Mente, a scientist at PHRI and assistant professor at McMaster’s Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, explained, “The other diet scores combined foods considered to be harmful – such as processed and ultra-processed foods – with foods and nutrients believed to be protective of one’s health.” The emphasis on protective foods has gained increased attention in recent years for disease prevention. Besides emphasizing higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, the study highlighted the importance of moderation in consuming natural foods.
Mente stated, “Moderate amounts of fish and whole-fat dairy are associated with a lower risk of CVD and mortality. The same health outcomes can be achieved with moderate consumption of grains and meats – as long as they are unrefined whole grains and unprocessed meats.”
Based on the findings, the PURE Healthy Diet Score recommends the following average daily intake: two to three servings of fruits and vegetables, one serving of nuts, and two servings of dairy. The score also includes three to four weekly servings of legumes and two to three weekly servings of fish. Additionally, the score suggests one daily serving of whole grains as a possible substitute for one daily serving of unprocessed red meat or poultry.
This study provides crucial insights into the connection between diet and cardiovascular health on a global scale. By emphasizing the consumption of key foods and adopting a balanced approach to diet, individuals can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health.
Reference:
“Diet, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in 80 countries” by Andrew Mente, Mahshid Dehghan, Sumathy Rangarajan, Martin O’Donnell, Weihong Hu, Gilles Dagenais, Andreas Wielgosz, Scott A. Lear, Li Wei, Rafael Diaz, Alvaro Avezum, Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo, Fernando Lanas, Sumathi Swaminathan, Manmeet Kaur, K Vijayakumar, Viswanathan Mohan, Rajeev Gupta, Andrzej Szuba, Romaina Iqbal, Rita Yusuf, Noushin Mohammadifard, Rasha Khatib, Nafiza Mat Nasir, Kubilay Karsidag, Annika Rosengren, Afzalhussein Yusufali, Edelweiss Wentzel-Viljoen, Jephat Chifamba, Antonio Dans, Khalid F Alhabib, Karen Yeates, Koon Teo, Hertzel C Gerstein and Salim Yusuf, 6 July 2023, European Heart Journal.
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad269
(Note: This analysis did not receive specific funding, but each contributing study was independently funded over 25 years.)