Date: July 7, 2008

Summary: A study of American nurses (all women) with no previous history of major cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including heart and vascular diseases, cancer or diabetes showed that a prudent diet high in items like vegetables and fish resulted in a 28 percent reduction of risk for death from CVD and a 30 percent reduction in risk of death from common diseases other than CVD and cancer over 18 years. A “traditional Western” diet high in red meat, French fries and sweets resulted in a higher risk of death from CVD, cancer and other diseases.

Journal: Circulation

Journal citation: Circulation. 2008;118:000-000

Read the complete article: http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.771881v1

Why it’s important: This is the largest and most definitive study ever that demonstrates that there is a connection between a diet rich in vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fish and a longer, healthier life.

What’s already known: Many studies have shown that diet is an important factor in the likelihood of death from CVD, cancer or other diseases such as diabetes. Many of these previous studies focused only on a particular food rather than a pattern of eating. Most were much smaller (had fewer participants) than the current study, or used a less exact method of evaluation to determine what study participants were eating.

How this study was done: This study uses data from the Nurses’ Health Study, which began measuring a number of health factors among American nurses in 1976. This study focused on data from participants who answered dietary questionnaires beginning in 1984. Those who had a history of cancer, CVD and diabetes were excluded from the analysis, as were those who provided insufficient information. Participants filled out follow-up questionnaires every two to four years after 1984. Researchers analyzed data from between 1984 and 2002 and compared it to participants’ health outcomes, particularly death from CVD, cancer and other known diseases.

What was found: Data were analyzed by separating out two different dietary patterns. The “prudent” dietary pattern included a high intake of vegetables, legumes, whole grains and fish.  The “Western” dietary pattern included a high intake of red meat, processed meat, refined grains, French fries and sweets. The women who maintained a “prudent” dietary pattern, especially those with a high intake of fruits and vegetables, were 28 percent less likely to die from CVD. Additionally, women maintaining a prudent dietary pattern were 30 percent less likely to die from major diseases other than CVD and cancer such as diabetes. The “Western” dietary pattern was associated with a 22 percent increase in death from CVD, a 16 percent increase in death from cancer and a 31 percent increase in death from other health problems. A comparison of this study to similar studies done in Denmark, Britain and Japan found similar results, although there were differences in risk of death from causes other than cancer and CVD.

The bottom line: Eating a diet lower in red meat and refined carbohydrates and higher in fruits, vegetables and fish is associated with a longer, healthier life.



This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 08/19/08.