Recent updates on diet, nutrition for CV health

Adherence to a healthy diet is optimal for CV health. A number of recent studies and papers have focused on diet and nutrition.

See below for updates on access to healthy foods, the impact of “diverse diets,” effects of sodium on the heart and more.

Improvements needed in healthy food access, education to prevent CVD

Positive changes in diet can be critical in preventing CVD, although various factors can hinder patients from accessing healthy foods, according to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more

AHA: Diverse diets not necessarily healthy

Encouraging people to eat a variety of foods may have the unintended consequence of consumption of more unhealthy foods, according to a science advisory from the American Heart Association. The authors reported that they found no evidence that overall dietary diversity confers healthy weight or optimal eating, that eating a wider variety of foods may delay satiation and increase food consumption, and limited evidence that dietary diversity in adults is linked to consumption of more calories, poor eating patterns and weight gain. Read more

Sodium confers CV risks only with large consumption

Consumption of sodium was associated with CHD and stroke risk only when it exceeded 5 g per day, according to new data from the PURE study. Among the 18 countries included in the study, only China had average sodium consumption exceeding 5 g per day in at least 80% of its participating communities. Read more

Search continues for ideal diet to reduce CVD risk

Healthy dietary patterns are crucial for the future health of patients, but the perfect dietary pattern still has yet to be determined, according to a review published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Read more

Moderate consumption of chocolate may reduce CVD risk

Eating less than 100 g per week of chocolate appears to reduce risk for CVD, according to a recent meta-analysis published in Heart. Read more