Diet Containing Seafood Helps Prevent Premature Cardiovascular Disease Deaths

Research Summary by Sonja Connor, MS, RDN, LD

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths continue to be the leading cause of death worldwide. A just-published study reviewed the relationship between 12 dietary risk factors and heart disease in 51 countries in the World Health Organization European Region from 1990 to 2016. Diet accounted for half (49.2%) of CVD deaths. A diet low in grains accounted for 429,000 deaths, low in nuts and seeds 341,000 deaths, low in fruits 262,000 deaths, high in sodium 251,000 deaths, and low in omega-3 fatty acids 227,000 deaths – indicating a balanced diet could prevent one in every five premature deaths. European J Epidemiology (2019) 34:37-55.