A fabulous study was published online yesterday (Monday 23rd June) in Circulation(1), a journal written by the American Heart Association. The study is particularly interesting as it looks at overall dietary patterns, rather than specific dietary elements, and the association to death from cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) and other chronic diseases.
The scientists used information from 72,113 women who were free of heart attack, angina, coronary artery surgery, stroke, diabetes and cancer at the start of the study. The women were followed for 18 years from 1984-2002 and their dietary habits were tracked via validated food frequency questionnaires that were administered every 2-4 years throughout the 18 years.
Two very distinct eating patterns emerged and were noted by the scientists:
1. A ‘prudent’ diet – this was characterised by high intakes of fruit, vegetables, legumes (beans and pulses), fish, poultry and wholegrains.
2. A ‘western’ diet – this diet was characterised by high intakes of processed meat, red meat, refined grains, French fries and sweets/desserts.
During the 18 years 6011 women died. 1154 were cardiovascular deaths and 3139 were deaths from cancer. Analysis, which took into account lifestyle variables, found that following the healthy ‘prudent’ diet was associated with a 28% lower risk of cardiovascular death and a 17% lower risk of mortality from all causes. The women following the traditional western style diet were 22% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease, had a 16% increased risk of death from cancer and were 21% more likely to die from any cause.
A point to remember is that all of these women were initially healthy. At the start of the 18 year follow up they were free from all major diseases. Over the years, following a healthy diet reduced the risk of death from all causes. I love this study as it does not focus on one particular dietary element. It highlights the importance of adopting an overall healthy diet. A diet abundant in healthy foods provides our bodies with a huge host of different vitamins, minerals, healthy essential fats, fibre, flavonoids and more! All of these nutrients interact together in a complex way and are all important for our health.
One of the study authors, Dr Christin Heidemann, is quoted on Reuters as saying “These results highlight the importance of intensifying efforts to promote the adoption of a healthy diet including high intakes of vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, fish and poultry and low intakes of red and processed meat, refined grains, French fries and sweets”. I wholeheartedly agree!!
Healthy eating for life may indeed give us more life!
(1)Heidemann C et al. 2008. Dietary patterns and risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and all causes in prospective cohort of women. Circulation. [E-pub ahead of print June 23]
Written by Ani Kowal
Related posts:
- Review study finds that a healthy diet may help reduce the risk of breast cancer
- Healthy lifestyles may impact brain function later in life
- Women eating foods with a high glycaemic index could be increasing their risk for heart disease
- Leading an active lifestyle may help to prevent cancer
- Following cancer prevention guidelines may lower risk of death from all causes
