Diet and nutrition in cardiovascular disease prevention

A review appraised existing evidence-based research on the importance of diet on CVD risk biomarkers, specifically, the effects of dietary patterns, specific foods, and constituents, including vitamins/minerals and plant-derived bioactive compounds, on CVD risk. The findings are published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
The authors state that plant-based dietary patterns rich in minimally processed foods, vegetables, and fruits reduce CVD risk, while those high in ultra-processed foods, meat, salt, sugar, and saturated fat increase risk. The Mediterranean, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, and vegetarian diets reduce CVD risk, while vegan diets offer no additional benefit. Low-carbohydrate diets may be beneficial, but their long-term effect remain to be confirmed. Balanced distribution of caloric intake through different meals is associated with favourable effects. Fasting (e.g., alternate-day, intermittent, time-restricted, and periodic) can reduce CVD risk but is often challenging. Moderate coffee consumption is not associated with increased risk of CVD. The consumption of one unit of alcohol/day may contribute to a reduced cardiovascular risk without presenting an unfavourable risk profile. Generally, there is no evidence that vitamin and mineral supplementation reduces CVD risk. High potassium intake is beneficial to healthy individuals; calcium or selenium supplementation shows no added benefit, and high sodium intake is detrimental. Diet is a major component of CVD prevention, and health professionals should include dietary assessment and evidence-based recommendations in their clinical practice.
Source: Marques-Vidal P, Tsampasian V, Cassidy A, et al. Diet and nutrition in cardiovascular disease prevention: a scientific statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology and the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing & Allied Professions of the European Society of Cardiology. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, Published early online 12 June 2025.