A heart-healthy dietary pattern featuring 9 key components, including whole grains, healthy proteins, and minimal processed foods, is recommended to optimize cardiovascular health.
The American Heart Association provides updated dietary guidance emphasizing 9 key features of a heart-healthy dietary pattern to optimize cardiovascular health and reduce CVD risk.
Poor diet quality is strongly associated with elevated cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality risk. This American Heart Association scientific statement for food-based cardiovascular health optimization and cardiovascular disease risk reduction guidance summarizes available evidence and provides contextual guidance for the key features of heart-healthy dietary patterns. It enumerates collateral benefits of adopting a heart-healthy dietary pattern in terms of nutrient intake adequacy and compatibility with other chronic disease risk reduction guidance. The features of a heart-healthy dietary pattern include (1) adjusting energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight; (2) eating plenty of vegetables and fruits and choosing a wide variety; (3) choosing foods made mostly with whole grains rather than refined grains; (4) choosing healthy sources of protein; (5) choosing sources of unsaturated fats in place of sources of saturated fat; (6) choosing minimally processed foods instead of ultraprocessed foods; (7) minimizing intake of added sugars in beverages and foods; (8) reducing sodium intake by choosing foods low in sodium and preparing foods with minimal or no salt; and (9) if alcohol is not consumed, do not start; if alcohol is consumed, limit intake.
“As a trusted source, the American Heart Association issues evidence‑based dietary guidance about every five years, undertaking a complex review that evolves alongside emerging research. Our 2026 guidance may look familiar, as it hasn't shifted greatly from the 2021 recommendations. We did find that the science supporting this guidance has strengthened. The stronger body of evidence is driving a few nuanced, yet important, updates that ensure the guidance remains aligned with the most current and strongest science on diet and cardiovascular health.”
This updated AHA scientific statement provides comprehensive, evidence-based recommendations for a heart-healthy diet, emphasizing dietary patterns over individual nutrients. It's a foundational document for preventive cardiology and is widely covered in both medical and lay press, influencing clinical guidance and public health messaging.
Lichtenstein et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular disease. Heart-healthy dietary pattern was evaluated. A heart-healthy dietary pattern featuring 9 key components, including whole grains, healthy proteins, and minimal processed foods, is recommended to optimize cardiovascular health.