The typical USA Diet Increases the Risk of a Heart Attack

A study that's just been completed finds that, world wide, about 30% of the risk of heart disease can be related to a poor diet. It's reported in the journal Circulation, and was conducted by an international team in 52 countries.

The study collected data on about 16,000 participants, and then analyzed 5,761 heart attack patients, comparing them to 10,646 people without known heart disease. A dietary risk score questionnaire, which covered both healthy and unhealthy food items, was adjusted for food preferences in each country.

The researchers identified 3 major dietary patterns across the world, which they called:

Western: a high intake of fried foods, salty snacks, eggs, and meat

Oriental: high intakes of tofu, soy, and other sauces

Prudent: high intakes of fruits and vegetables

After adjusting for known existing risk factors, the researchers found that people who ate the Prudent diet (more fruits and veggies) had a 30% lower risk of heart attack, compared with those who ate little or no fruits and veggies. On the other hand, those who ate the Western diet had a 35% greater risk of having a heart attack, compare with those who ate little or no fried foods and meat. The Oriental pattern eaters showed no relation between food and heart attack risk.

Perhaps the benefit of the results from this study is to show the universality of the dictum: more fruits and vegetables, and less fried food and meat, equals a lower risk of heart attack - wherever you live and whatever your national food habits.