Heart Attack Risk High with Western Diets

First posted on 10-29-2008

Scientists working at the University of Ontario, Canada have released the results of a study that concludes over one third of all heart attacks worldwide are the result of “Western” diets, or those diets heavy in meats, salt and fried foods.

The researchers surveyed over 16,000 patients of which 5,700 had just experienced their first heart attack. Blood samples were collected as was detailed information about each person’s eating habits over a four year period.

The team discovered that those individuals who ate a Western diet had a 35 percent greater risk of heart attack than those whose diet lacked meat or who ate smaller amounts of meat or fried foods.

Further, the scientists concluded that those participants that ate higher amounts of fruits and vegetables were able to lower their heart attack risks by as much as 30 percent when compared to participants who consumed few or no fruits and vegetables.

A surprising result was that a tofu-rich “Oriental” diet as described by the researchers produced an average risk of heart attack. The scientists speculated that the reason might be high sodium content in tofu and sauces which raises blood pressure, a risk factor in heart disease.