“10 Popular Diets Reviewed for Heart Health: DASH Diet Wins”

“The number of different and popular diets has increased in recent years, and the amount of misinformation about them on social media has reached critical levels,” said Christopher D. Gardner, professor of medicine at Stanford University (USA).

Heart Health: 10 Popular Diets Reviewed

In a recent study, the researcher and his team wanted to evaluate the effects of ten diets on the heart. Among them, we find the DASH, vegan, Mediterranean, pescatarian, vegetarian, Paleolithic, ketogenic or Atkins diets. These were assessed on the selection of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, the limitation of alcohol, the choice of cereals, the reduction of sugars and added salts as well as the consumption of healthy proteins. Only one element was not taken into account in the rating. It is the fact of “eat certain foods to have an adequate energy balance in order to maintain a healthy weight”because this element is influenced by factors other than food choices, such as the level of physical activity.

Cardiovascular diseases: restrictive diets increase the risk

According to the results, published in the journal Circulation by the American Heart Association (AHA), the Paleolithic, Ketogenic, and Atkins diets have not been classified as heart-healthy eating habits. The reason is simple: the latter, which are generally followed for weight loss, are high in saturated fat, low in cereals, legumes, dairy products and fiber. Clearly, these diets promote the development of cardiovascular disease. “They are very restrictive and difficult for most people to follow long-term. Although they are likely to provide short-term benefits and weight loss, they are not sustainable,” reported Christopher D. Gardner.

The DASH diet, the best way to eat for the heart

According to the authors, the DASH, Mediterranean, pescatarian and vegetarian diets are the ones that help take care of your heart. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stopping Hypertension) diet earned the highest rating for meeting all recommendations from the American Heart Association. “These diets are low in salt, added sugar, alcohol, oils, and processed foods, and high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Protein comes primarily from plant sources (such as legumes, beans or nuts), as well as fish or seafood, poultry and lean meats, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products”, concluded the researchers in a statement.