Mixed
Adherence to Mediterranean and high-quality dietary patterns significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), coronary heart disease (CHD), and stroke, whereas low-salt and low-total-fat diets do not show significant preventive benefits in randomized controlled trials.
Adopt a Mediterranean-style or high-quality dietary pattern to significantly lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. This involves eating more vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats (like olive oil), while minimizing processed foods and trans fats. Do not rely solely on low-salt or low-fat diets, as evidence does not support them as effective standalone preventive measures.
Findings from the SRMAs of RCTs suggest the significant benefit of Mediterranean and high-quality diets for lowering CVD risk, with pooled risk ratios (RRs) ranging from 0.55 (95%CI: 0.39–0.76) to 0.64 (95%CI: 0.53–0.79) and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.57–0.87), respectively... Moreover, results from the SRMAs of RCTs did not find a significant benefit of a low-salt diet and low total fat intake for CVD prevention.
Why this rating
Based on an umbrella review of 54 SRMAs, including multiple RCTs, providing high-level evidence synthesis.
Source
Dietary Factors and Risks of Cardiovascular Diseases: An Umbrella Review
Kridsada Chareonrungrueangchai et al. · Nutrients · 2020
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