STOCKHOLM, June 16, 2025
Diet’s Direct Link to Heart Health
New research reveals a strong connection between what we eat and the composition of plaques in our arteries, impacting heart health.
- Unhealthy diets correlate with increased atherosclerosis.
- Diet impacts the composition of arterial plaques.
- Healthy diets may lead to fewer high-risk plaques.
A recent study using advanced cardiac imaging offers a fascinating glimpse into the direct relationship between diet and heart health. Researchers examined the presence and type of plaque in coronary arteries, revealing how our eating habits can influence atherosclerosis. The study, published in Cardiovascular Research, highlights the critical role of diet in determining the composition of arterial plaques and their potential danger.
What’s the link between your diet and heart health? The study showed that dietary patterns significantly affect the formation and composition of plaques in the coronary arteries, impacting overall heart health.
The Study’s Deep Dive
The study, involving 24,097 individuals aged 50 to 64, utilized data from the SCAPIS* population study. Participants completed dietary questionnaires, and researchers employed a dietary index to analyze patterns. This index assigned high scores to diets rich in whole grains, fiber, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and vegetable oils. Conversely, diets high in red meat, crisps, and sugary drinks received low scores.
Computed tomography was used to examine participants’ hearts, identifying early signs of fat deposits and atherosclerotic plaques. The results were striking: those with the least healthy dietary patterns exhibited a higher prevalence of atherosclerosis. Specifically, 44% of the 8,344 people with the least healthy diets showed coronary artery changes, compared to 36% in the healthiest group (6,139 people).
Serious changes, such as narrowing of the coronary artery by at least 50% and high-risk plaque, were 1.6 times more common in those with the least healthy diets. “After adjusting for a variety of factors, we saw that the association between dietary pattern and atherosclerosis is mediated by abdominal obesity, high blood pressure and high levels of triglycerides,” says Isabel Goncalves, professor of cardiology at Lund University.
Dietary Patterns and Plaque Composition
The study’s findings suggest that unhealthy, low-fiber diets may contribute to changes in the body and metabolism, leading to unfavorable plaque characteristics. Though the study didn’t investigate the specific mechanisms, it strongly indicates a connection between diet and severe heart problems caused by atherosclerotic plaques, such as heart attacks.
“There is no single foodstuff that determines health, but rather the overall dietary pattern,” explains Ingrid Larsson, nutritionist and associate professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fiber-rich foods, along with nuts, low-fat dairy, rapeseed, and olive oil, while limiting red and processed meats, crisps, and sugary drinks, was associated with fewer high-risk plaques. This aligns with Swedish and international dietary guidelines.
