Apr 14 2009
Mediterranean diet is Best for Heart
You know a lot about healthy diets? Think once again. Because most of the healthy diets actually fails to reduce the risk of heart diseases, the findings of a new study suggests. The study, conducted by researchers at McMaster University, also reveals that the Mediterranean diet is the most beneficial for heart.
During the study, the researchers looked at the results of 200 different studies that investigated different diets and their connection with coronary heart disease. All of those studies were done in the US, Europe and Asia between 1950 to 2007. From the data of those studies the researchers wanted to compare different diets and their ability to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The McMaster University researchers found that there are differences in health benefits offered by different food groups or specific diets. Foods like vegetables, nuts and monosaturated fatty acids are very beneficial for the heart. And when it comes to overall healthy diets the Mediterranean diet is the most beneficial. The Mediterranean diet normally includes tomatoes and other vegetables, fruits, almonds, whole grain bread and monosaturated fat products such olive oil.
On the other hand foods with trans-fatty acids or high glycemic index are very harmful for the heart. In this group there are different fried and baked foods and carbohydrate rich foods such as rice and pasta. So, if you want a good heart, you must control the intake of this kind of food.
The findings of the study was published in the latest issue of journal “Archives of Internal Medicine”. The researchers thinks that their review of different food groups or dietary patterns will help health professionals and dieticians in delivering the right message about health diets. They also added that a good cardiovascular health is very important for a healthy life. So, people must take care not to eat those foods that increases the risk of heart disease.
