In a nutshell
This study looked at the effects of two different diets on patients with heart disease. They found that compared to a low-fat diet, a Mediterranean diet leads to better recovery of the heart’s blood vessels.
Some background
Heart disease is a major cause of disability and death. Heart attacks are usually due to blockages within the arteries of the heart caused by plaques. These plaques form due to the dysfunction of the cells that line the arteries. These cells are called endothelial cells. Patients who have poorly functioning endothelial cells are at high risk of having a second heart attack.
Certain healthy diets can improve the function of endothelial cells but it’s not clear which type of diet is best.
Methods & findings
805 patients with heart disease were involved in this study. They were divided into two groups. One group followed a standard low-fat diet while the other group followed a Mediterranean diet. A Mediterranean diet contains more healthy fats such as olive oil, fish, and eggs and fewer carbohydrates (such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains) than a low-fat diet. Participants underwent specialized tests to evaluate their endothelial cell function at the start of the study and again after 12 months. One test of endothelial function is flow-mediated dilation (FMD). FMD measures how much a blood vessel can widen in response to increased blood flow.
Participants in the Mediterranean diet group had significantly better endothelial cell function after one year than those in the low-fat diet group. FMD in the Mediterranean group was 2.63% better than in the low-fat diet group. This difference was also seen in patients with severe endothelial cell dysfunction.
The bottom line
This study showed that a Mediterranean diet is better than a low-fat diet for improving blood vessel health and preventing heart disease.
What’s next?
Speak to your physician about the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
Published By :
Plos Medicine
Date :
Sep 01, 2020
