Mixed
High adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern, quantified by the Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMed), is associated with a significantly lower risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke in women.
To lower your risk of heart disease and stroke, aim for a dietary pattern rich in plant foods, healthy fats (like olive oil), and fish, while limiting red meat and sweets. Consistency over many years is key, as this study tracked adherence over two decades.
Women in the top Alternate Mediterranean Diet Score quintile were at lower risk for both CHD and stroke compared with those in the bottom quintile (relative risk [RR], 0.71; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.82; P for trend<0.0001 for CHD; RR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.02; P for trend=0.03 for stroke).
Why this rating
Large prospective cohort (74,886 women), long follow-up (20 years), rigorous adjustment for confounders, though observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Mediterranean Diet and Incidence of and Mortality From Coronary Heart Disease and Stroke in Women
Teresa T. Fung et al. · Circulation · 2009
DOI 10.1161/circulationaha.108.816736
More from this paper
- High adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with significantly lower mortality from combined cardiovascular disease (fatal CHD and stroke) in women.Good
- The protective effect of a Mediterranean dietary pattern on coronary heart disease is stronger in women with a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher compared to those with a BMI below 25 kg/m2.Good
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