Cardiovascular Disease

Ignorance to sex differences may explain why nutrition interventions fail in research

15-Sep-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A review has explored how the differences between men and women might heavily influence the impact of nutrition on heart health, asserting that ignorance of such discrepancies may explain why some promising interventions appear to fail in later stage...

Blueberries benefit postmenopausal women with high blood pressure: Study

05-Apr-2023 By Asia Sherman

Daily blueberry consumption improves endothelial function in postmenopausal women with high blood pressure, according to a recent study.

Food insecurity found to significantly increase risk of cardiovascular disease

07-Oct-2022 By Hank Schultz

Food insecurity raises the risk for almost all aspects of cardiovascular disease, new research from the University of Michigan has found.

Do artificial sweeteners increase risk of cardiovascular diseases?

15-Sep-2022 By Flora Southey

A ‘potential direct’ link between artificial sweetener intake and increased cardiovascular disease risk has been suggested by researchers, but industry is fighting back: “There is no causal evidence that low/no calorie sweeteners could increase the risk...

Plant-centred or low-fat diets for heart health?

08-Jun-2021 By Katy Askew

Fresh research has come out comparing the heart benefits associated with low-fat and ‘plant-centred’ diets. The results are in – plant-centred diets could be more effective at lowering heart disease risk.

Second look at big omega-3s trial finds no cardio benefits even for subjects with most EPA in blood

18-May-2021 By Hank Schultz

A secondary analysis of a large scale trial whose result has flummoxed experts found that higher blood levels of EPA had no protective effect on cardiovascular health.

Study finds link between plant-based protein intake and lower mortality and risk of cardiovascular disease

20-Jul-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Does an association exist between dietary protein choice (animal or plant-based sources) and long-term overall mortality in the US population? Yes, say researchers who conducted a 16-year observational health study and found that greater intake of plant...

A 10% fruit and vegetable subsidy can save lives, new study finds

16-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

Fruit and vegetable subsidies can literally save lives, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool, who analysed how different food policy models may reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular disease in the US.

Fresh fruit linked to lower risk of heart attack and stroke

19-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

Fresh fruit consumption has been linked with a lower risk of heart attack and stroke, according to new research.

Special edition: Oils & fats

Time for a rethink on saturated fat?

30-Jun-2014 By Elaine Watson

If the cover of TIME magazine earlier this month (headline: Eat Butter) is anything to go by, it would seem that the conversation about fat, and saturated fat in particular, is changing, at least in the media. But are policymakers sitting up and taking...

Decades of improving US cholesterol levels abruptly ended in 2008, study finds

14-May-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Decades of declines in levels of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol, a key biomarker of cardiovascular disease risk, abruptly ended in 2008, and may have stalled since, according to a multi-year, national study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Dispatches from the 6th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition

Mediterranean diet cuts heart disease risk by 30%: 'Landmark’ study provides compelling evidence that it’s the type, not the level of fat, that counts for cardio health

26-Feb-2013 By Elaine Watson, Loma Linda, California

People following an energy unrestricted plant-based diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts can reduce their risk of a major cardiovascular event by 30% compared with people following a purely low-fat diet, according to a “landmark” new...

Lancet paper blasts Cochrane salt study

01-Aug-2011 By Nathan Gray

Commentary in The Lancet, along with a new analysis of the data, has slammed the recent Cochrane review that claimed salt reduction had no effect on strokes or heart attacks.

Study finds no cardiovascular risk from dietary mercury for adults

25-Mar-2011 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

American adults’ exposure to mercury from sources such as fish is not linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Study finds sugary food and drinks increase teens’ heart disease risk

12-Jan-2011 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Teenagers who consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks are more likely to have risk factors for heart disease, according to new research published in Circulation.

Soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels for diabetics, too

26-Aug-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of soy protein may reduce cholesterol levels in people with type-2 diabetes, says a new study that expands on the heart healthy potential of soy.

Whole grains linked to lower atherosclerosis risk

11-Jun-2007 By Stephen Daniells

An increased intake of wholegrain-rich foods has been linked to
improvements in blood vessel health, says a new study that adds to
the heart-health benefits of a diet rich in wholegrains.

Study questions garlic's cholesterol-lowering powers

27-Feb-2007 By Stephen Daniells

A new trial from the US has reported that garlic may not decrease LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, raising questions over the cardiovascular benefits of garlic.

Opportunites for walnuts in heart health research

09-Nov-2004

Research into walnuts, a key ingredient used in a range of cake
products will help lift stagnant sales for food makers in the
sector giving them an opportunity to cash in on the growing
functional food market, reports Lindsey Partos.

Eggs have no impact on dangerous cholesterol, new study

28-Jun-2004

Eating an egg a day does not impact the cholesterol particles in
the blood most likely to cause heart disease, according to a new
study that could play an important role in debunking myths
surrounding the role of eggs in the diet.

How powerful are vitamins?

02-Jul-2003

Extensive analysis of studies on the power of vitamins A, C and E
or multivitamins to reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer
calls highlights need for more evidence.