Heart
A Mediterranean-style diet linked to lower heart risk in women
Moderate evidenceStudy published Mar 2023 · 4 min read
The takeaway
Women who ate a Mediterranean-style diet had about 24% lower risk of heart disease.
Why this matters to you
Much heart research has studied mostly men. This focused specifically on women.
What the researchers did
Researchers combined 16 studies of over 700,000 women, comparing those who ate closest to a Mediterranean pattern with those who did not.
What they found
- About 24% lower risk of heart disease.
- About 23% lower risk of dying from any cause.
How strong is the evidence?
Consistent across many studies, but based on what people reported eating.
What this does NOT mean
- It is not about one 'superfood' — the overall pattern matters.
- It does not replace prescribed medicines.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What small changes to my diet would help my heart most?
- Should I see a dietitian?
Science Decoded is open access.
Supporters keep it that way.