A new nutrition study identifies 10 characteristics of a heart-healthy diet pattern

In a new scientific statement, the American Heart Association outlines 10 key characteristics of a healthy heart-healthy diet, stresses the importance of overall diet, rather than individual foods or nutrients, and emphasizes the importance of nutrition at all stages of life Key role

This new statement reflects the latest scientific evidence on the benefits of a lifelong heart-healthy diet.

"No matter what stage of life we ​​are in, we can all benefit from a heart-healthy diet

Since people often eat food outside of their homes, the statement emphasizes that whether the food is made at home, ordered in a restaurant or online, or purchased as a cooked food, it is possible to follow a heart-healthy eating pattern

"A diet that is good for the heart can definitely be adapted to different life>

The statement detailed 10 characteristics of a diet that promotes heart health:

1. Balance food and calorie intake with physical activity to maintain a healthy weight

   
   

2. Choose a variety of foods, eat more fruits and vegetables, and get comprehensive nutrition from food instead of supplements;

3. Choose whole grains and other foods that are mainly composed of whole grains;

4. Include healthy lean and/or high-fibre protein sources such as vegetable protein (nuts and beans), fish or seafood, low-fat or skimmed dairy products, lean meats, restricted red meats and processed meats;

5. Use liquid non-tropical vegetable oils, such as olive oil or sunflower oil;

6. Try to choose the least processed foods rather than super processed foods;

7. Try to drink less drinks and foods containing added sugar;

8. Choose or prepare foods with less or no salt;

9. Limit alcohol; if you don’t drink, don’t start; and

10. This guide should apply wherever food is cooked or eaten

    
    

Processed foods include meats that have been smoked, cured, or preserved with chemical preservatives, and plant foods that have added salt, sugar, or fat

A heart-healthy diet is good for a person's life

According to this statement, nutrition plays a vital role in heart health

Before and during pregnancy, women who eat a heart-healthy diet can reduce risk factors for heart disease, which may help prevent their children from gaining unhealthy weight

Lichtenstein said: "Evidence shows that people of all ages can benefit from adhering to a heart-healthy diet

A diet that is good for the heart also helps the environment

Sustainability issues were included in the association's dietary guidelines for the first time

"It is important to realize that the guidelines are not only consistent with heart health, but also with sustainability-this is a win-win for individuals and our environment," Lichtenstein said

However, the statement pointed out that not all sustainable diets are healthy for the heart

To support a heart-healthy diet, society needs challenges
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The 2021 dietary guidelines discuss for the first time some challenges that may make it more difficult to adopt or maintain a diet that is good for the heart
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These include:

• Food misinformation widely spread on the Internet;

• Lack of nutrition education in elementary schools and medical schools;

• Food and nutrition are not safe-According to the references cited in the statement, an estimated 37 million Americans will not have access to safe and nutritious food in 2020;

• Structural racism and community segregation.
  In many communities with a high proportion of racial and ethnic diversity, there are few grocery stores but many fast food restaurants; and

• Through targeted advertising and sponsorship of activities and organizations in these communities, unhealthy food and beverages are sold to people of different races and ethnic backgrounds in a targeted manner
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The statement pointed out that public health actions and policy changes are needed to deal with these challenges and obstacles
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The statement concluded: "To create an environment in all individuals to promote and support adherence to a diet that is good for the heart is a public health priority
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At the individual level, the new statement reinforces the 2020 American Heart Association (American Heart Association) statement for health care professionals, which encourages routine assessment of the quality of patients’ diets and incorporates this information into medical records for the following Follow up at an appointment
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