A groundbreaking study conducted by eminent researchers from McMaster University and Hamilton Health Sciences at the Population Research Health Institute (PHRI) has unearthed compelling evidence that insufficient consumption of six essential food groups when combined, raises the susceptibility of adults to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This momentous research transcended geographical boundaries, examining the impact of dietary habits on heart health worldwide, and accentuated the significance of commonly regarded wholesome foods.
Cardiovascular diseases, encompassing heart attacks and strokes, can be mitigated by the regular intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish, and whole-fat dairy products. The study further revealed that adopting a healthful diet can be accomplished through diverse means, such as incorporating moderate portions of whole grains or unprocessed meats.
Whereas previous research predominantly concentrated on Western nations and explored the interplay between deleterious ultra-processed foods and nutrient-dense alternatives, this comprehensive investigation had a global purview and centered on the foods widely acknowledged as beneficial for overall well-being.
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According to estimations by the World Health Organization, CVD claimed the lives of nearly 18 million individuals in 2019, accounting for an alarming 32 percent of all global fatalities. Among these deaths, a staggering 85 percent were attributed to heart attacks and strokes. The meticulous analysis conducted by PHRI researchers, in collaboration with global counterparts, scrutinized data sourced from 245,000 individuals across 80 countries, encompassing numerous studies. The findings of this remarkable endeavor were published in the European Heart Journal on July 6, shedding light on the urgent need for dietary interventions.
Drawing upon PHRI’s ongoing, expansive global Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study, the researchers derived a comprehensive diet score. This score was subsequently replicated in five independent studies, allowing for the evaluation of health outcomes in diverse regions worldwide, involving both individuals with and without prior CVD.
Salim Yusuf, senior author and principal investigator of PURE, remarked, “Unlike prior diet scores, such as the EAT-Lancet Planetary Diet and the Mediterranean Diet, which primarily explored the relationship between diet and CVD in Western nations, the PURE Healthy Diet Score encompasses a representative sample of high, middle, and low-income countries.”
The PURE Healthy Diet Score stands out due to its truly global nature and its exclusive emphasis on protective, or natural, foods.
“We have taken a unique approach in our study. Unlike other diet scores that amalgamate foods deemed harmful—such as processed and ultra-processed foods—with foods and nutrients believed to safeguard one’s health, our focus has been on exclusively protective foods,” elucidated Andrew Mente, PHRI scientist and first author of the study, who also serves as an assistant professor at McMaster’s Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact.
He added, “Recently, there has been a heightened emphasis on consuming more protective foods to prevent diseases. Besides increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes, our research has demonstrated that moderation is pivotal when consuming natural foods.”
“Moderate consumption of fish and whole-fat dairy products is associated with a decreased risk of CVD and mortality. Similarly, health outcomes can be achieved through moderate consumption of unrefined whole grains and unprocessed meats,” he affirmed.
In line with the PURE Healthy Diet Score, an optimal daily intake is recommended, including two to three servings of fruits and vegetables, one serving of nuts, and two servings of dairy. Additionally, the score prescribes three to four weekly servings of legumes and two to three weekly servings of fish. Feasible alternatives encompass one serving of whole grains on a daily basis and one serving of unprocessed red meat or poultry.
While this comprehensive analysis did not receive specific funding, each contributing study was independently funded and conducted over a span of 25 years.
By underscoring the paramount connection between adequate consumption of nutrient-rich foods and cardiovascular well-being, this groundbreaking study assumes utmost importance. It not only broadens our understanding of dietary patterns on a global scale but also provides invaluable insights into optimizing cardiovascular health and enhancing overall quality of life.
