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Health Warning: Your Western Diet Causes Heart Disease
Latest research, published in the heart health journal Circulation, has proven that the western diet is responsible for the increased incidence of heart disease and heart attacks. The research carried out McMaster University in Canada has suggested that switching fried and salty foods for salads and fresh fruits could cut the global incidence of heart attacks by 30%.
The researchers analysed the diets of 16,000 people in 52 countries and identified three global eating patterns. The typical Western diet, high in fat, salt and meat, accounted for about 30% of heart attack risk in any population. A more prudent diet high in fruit and veg lowered heart risk by 30%.
The Oriental diet, which is high in tofu, soy and other sauces, made no difference to heart attack risk.
“30% of the risk of heart disease in a population could be related to poor diet. The researchers said that while components of the Oriental diet might be bad for the heart – such as the salt in soy sauce – these elements were likely cancelled out by protective components.” Romania Iqbal, of McMaster University in Canada
The data was gathered using a questionnaire to determine dietary risk, and was based on 19 food groups. In total 5,561 heart attack patients and 10,646 people with known heart disease completed the survey. Results showed that people who ate a Western diet had a 35% greater risk of having a heart attack than those who ate little or no fried foods and meat. It is not news that the typical Western diet causes heart disease, however, this is the first conclusive research that has been done in a while. Also high salt in the diet can raise blood pressure and the wrong type of fat, which can block blood vessels.
The researchers said their work suggested that the same relationships between food and heart disease that are observed in Western countries exist in other regions of the world.
“This study shows that it doesn’t matter whether you live in Bolton or Bombay, or whether you like to eat British, African Caribbean or Asian foods. The vital thing is to reduce your intake of salty, fried, fatty food to a minimum but increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.” Ellen Mason, British Heart Foundation.
We really should not need any more proof that fatty, fried foods, and other junk food high in salt and sugar, is bad for us. However, many people do live in a constant state of denial when it comes to their diet. Food is for many one of lifes simple comforts. A hearty meal and a drink is what many people look forward to most after a stressful day working, and the healthy options are rarely given a second thought.
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