Too much salt, too much fat and not enough vegetables. In 2015, 400,000 Americans died from cardiovascular disease, a study presented by the American Heart Association. The survey clearly shows thedevastating impact on health food choices made up of products that are too fatty (notably still too rich in trans fatty acids), too salty or too sweet. Dr Ashkan Afshin, study author, professor of public health at the University of Washington in the United States, is categorical: “The results of our study show that almost half of the deaths resulting from cardiovascular diseases in the United States States are preventable by improving diet”.
The survey was based on data compiled between 1990 and 2012 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of American Adults and Children and from statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Rebalancing food, a challenge for Americans
By looking closely at the risk factors correlated with cardiovascular disease, the researchers found that a low intake of nuts and shelled fruits was associated with 11.6% of the deaths observed during the period; lack of vegetables at 11.5% of deaths; excess salt to 9% of deaths.
The American Heart Association encourages Americans to change their plate to introduce a more balanced diet composed of fruits, fish, poultry, vegetables, cereals and less salt.
Obesity is a major public health problem which continues to expand with 40% of women and 35% of men affected by this chronic disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Improving diet may help prevent nearly half of cardiovascular disease deaths. #AHANews#EPILifestyle17https://t.co/ne0MoV603fpic.twitter.com/bBOMHdS8M2
—American Heart Assoc (@American_Heart) March 10, 2017
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