A new NIH study has reinforced advice about prudent eating and coronary heart disease (CHD). Researchers analyzed data from more than 69,000 women who took part in the Nurses' Health Study. They identified two major dietary patterns:

• The "prudent" pattern, characterized by higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains, and
• The "Western" pattern, characterized by higher intakes of red and processed meats, sweets and desserts, French fries, and refined grains.

Women eating according to the Western pattern developed CHD over a 15-year period at a rate twice that of those who followed the "prudent" eating pattern. The authors concluded that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, poultry, and fish and low in refined grains, potatoes, and red and processed meats may lower the risk of CHD.

Related information About it - Eat heart healthy