According to a new review of 16 studies, eating a Mediterranean diet may reduce a woman’s risk of heart disease and death by about 25%.
According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women globally. In the United Kingdom, coronary artery disease kills more women than breast cancer, whereas in the United States, one in every five women dies from heart disease by 2020.
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Risk Of Heart Disease
The trials involved almost 700,000 women whose heart health was tracked for an average of 12.5 years. The Mediterranean diet was linked to a 24% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 23% lower risk of death from any cause in women, according to the researchers.
Women who followed the Mediterranean diet had a modestly lower risk of stroke and a 25% lower risk of coronary heart disease. The researchers anticipate that the findings will spur additional studies that will help influence gender-specific clinical guidelines to improve women’s heart health.
A healthy diet is regarded as one of the most effective methods of preventing cardiovascular disease. The Mediterranean diet, in particular, has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease.
The antioxidant qualities of the food, as well as the microbiome impacts, serve to reduce inflammation throughout the body.
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How To Start This Kind Of Diet?
Polyphenols, which may preserve the lining of the heart and blood vessels, improve cholesterol levels, and stimulate anti-platelet action, are also abundant in the diet. Nitrates, which enlarge blood arteries and enhance blood flow, are also included in the Mediterranean diet.
In addition, the diet has a reduced glycemic load, which has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Finally, the Mediterranean diet is high in omega-3 fats and plant-based fiber, both of which help lower bad cholesterol and prevent plaque accumulation in the arteries.
Plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and extra-virgin olive oil are central to the Mediterranean diet.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy monounsaturated fats, and seafood should be substituted for processed foods and saturated fats. Limiting added sweets and red meats, and eating a couple portions of seafood every week.
Dietary changes can be an effective approach to avoiding heart disease, and as more people become aware of the heart-healthy benefits of the Mediterranean diet, more women will hopefully be able to reduce their risk of heart disease.
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