Mixed
Adherence to a Mediterranean diet significantly reduces cardiovascular mortality, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, angina, and major cardiovascular events compared to control diets.
Adopting a Mediterranean-style eating pattern is the most effective dietary strategy for reducing the risk of heart-related death, heart attacks, and overall mortality. This involves eating more fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish, and olive oil, and less processed foods. While weight loss often accompanies this diet, the specific nutrients in these foods provide direct protection to your heart and blood vessels. It is superior to standard low-fat diets for these specific outcomes.
When compared with the control diet, only the MD showed a reduction in cardiovascular deaths (risk ratio ¼ 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–0.82). Additionally, MD was the sole dietary strategy that decreased the risk of major cardiovascular events, myocardial infarction, angina, and all-cause mortality.
Why this rating
Network meta-analysis of 17 RCTs with moderate confidence evidence, though some trials had methodological issues.
Source
Effects of dietary interventions on cardiovascular outcomes: a network meta-analysis
Ioannis Doundoulakis et al. · Nutrition Reviews · 2023
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