Mediterranean Diet Linked To Reduced Heart Failure Risk, Especially In Women

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has revealed a significant connection between high adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and a lower risk of heart failure (HF), particularly among women. Heart failure is a prevalent cardiovascular condition influenced by various factors, including age, genetics, and lifestyle choices.

The research, conducted by Veronese and colleagues, aimed to perform a comprehensive review and meta-analysis of observational studies to evaluate the impact of the Mediterranean Diet on heart failure risk, while also assessing potential sex-dependent differences. The analysis included database searches conducted up until May 1, 2023, across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The study adhered to the latest guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) group.

Out of 1,206 studies screened, six observational prospective studies were ultimately included in the final analysis, encompassing a total of 216,385 participants. The results indicated that a one-unit increase in the Mediterranean Diet score correlated with a significantly reduced risk of heart failure over an average follow-up period of 11 years (relative risk [RR] = 0.940; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.912-0.969; p < 0.0001). Moderate heterogeneity between studies was observed (I² = 42.9%).

Significantly, the findings highlighted that higher adherence to the Mediterranean Diet was associated with a lower incidence of heart failure in women (RR = 0.942; 95% CI: 0.912-0.973; p = 0.001; I² = 41.8%). However, no significant association was found among men, suggesting that the effects of diet on heart failure risk may differ by sex.

The quality of the included studies was assessed as generally good, lending credibility to the findings and reinforcing the relationship between the Mediterranean Diet and reduced heart failure risk.

Overall, this systematic review and meta-analysis confirm that greater adherence to the Mediterranean Diet is associated with a lower risk of heart failure, especially in women. These findings support the Mediterranean Diet as an effective preventive strategy for heart health, further establishing its reputation as a beneficial dietary pattern.