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Western diet 'increases heart risk'

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Cutting out fried and salt-laden foods and replacing them with healthy salads could cut the number of heart attacks worldwide by a third, according to a new study.

The diets of 16,000 people across 52 countries were quizzed over their eating habits and the results revealed three different global eating patterns.

The three diets consisted of the typical Western diet – high in fat, salt and meat, which accounted for 30% of heart attack risk in a population. Second was the 'prudent' diet, high in fruit and veg which lowered heart risk by a third and third was the Oriental diet – high in tofu, soy and other sauce and posed no threat to heart disease.

Those who ate a Western diet were 35% more likely to have a heart attack than those who ate no fried foods and meat.

Typical Western diets are renowned for their high salt content, raising blood pressure and increasing the risk of heart disease.

The researchers explained the survey showed the same relationship between food and heart disease that are seen in Western countries is also seen in other parts of the world.

'30% of the risk of heart disease in a population could be related to poor diet,' said lead author Romania Iqbal.

Ellen Mason, a cardiac nurse for the British Heart Foundation, said: 'This study shows that it doesn’t matter whether you live in Bolton or Bombay, or whether you like to eat British, African Caribbean or Asian foods.

'The vital thing is to reduce your intake of salty, fried, fatty food to a minimum but increase the amount of fruit and vegetables you eat.'