Which Diet is Best for the Heart?

Robert W. Griffith, MD

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts have analyzed the nutritional qualities of 10 popular diets, using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, a Harvard system that concentrates on dietary components most strongly linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. To give you a rough idea, these points were the basis for scoring (0 to 10 for each point):

The ratio of white to red meat
Ratio of polyunsaturated fat to saturated fat
Quantities of fruit
Quantities of vegetables
Quantities of nuts and legumes
Quantities of cereal fiber
Quantities of trans fats

This is what they found (the maximum score was 70):

1. Ornish - 64.6
2. Weight Watchers High Carbohydrate - 57.4
3. New Glucose Revolution (low glycemic index weight-loss) - 57.2
4. South Beach Phase 2 (lean protein, low-fat dairy, carbs, fruit) - 50.7
5. Zone Diet (reduced carbs, low-energy) - 49.8
6. 2005 Food Guide Pyramid - 48.7
7. Weight Watchers High Protein - 47.3
8. Atkins 100 gram carbs - 46
9. South Beach Phase 3 - 45.6
10. Atkins 45 gram carbs - 42.3

The investigators single out the first three (Ornish, Weight Watchers High Carb, and New Glucose Revolution) as having an increased capacity for cardiovascular disease prevention than the others (pretty obvious, really, based on the above list). Of course, the points evaluated emphasized the advantages of veggies, fruit, and cereal intake. The low placement of the Food Pyramid, which was designed to prevent nutritional deficiencies, was surprising.

If you can't find a good choice among these diets, don't worry. There'll be another rash of new diets in the next few months, no doubt, to be able to take advantage of the after-the-holidays blues.

Source
HealthandAge Blog

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