A new report states that the worst diets for heart health include the keto and Paleo diets.

 The American Heart Association published a report on April 27, 2023 that ranked the top 10 diets based on their guidelines for heart-healthy eating. The study revealed that some popular diets, such as keto and Paleo, were not ranked as high for heart health as other diets.

The researchers confidently utilized the American Heart Association (AHA) criteria for heart-healthy eating patterns as the foundation of their rating system. The rating system includes nutrition requirements based on limited fat, saturated fats, cholesterol, trans fat or sodium. Feller explained that the diets with very low carbohydrate, such as Atkins, or diets with high fat content, such as the keto diet, scored lower. Although there was some weight loss and improvement in lipids as well as blood sugar in the short term, these diets can increase the risk of bad cholesterol or LDL, which is a risk factor for heart disease in the long term.

The AHA states that very low carbohydrate diets and high-fat diets, such as the ketogenic and Paleolithic diets, scored the lowest on their scale. The AHA explains that these diets may result in reduced fiber intake due to restrictions on fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Furthermore, these diets are high in fat, and do not limit saturated fat. Consuming high levels of saturated fat and low levels of fiber are both linked to the development of cardiovascular disease, according to the AHA's statement.

The report considered other factors such as the flexibility of the diet, cultural relevance, personal preference, and affordability. Among the top-scoring diets were the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, pescatarian diet, and vegetarian diet. The first two diets can help manage hypertension, which is a known risk factor for heart disease. For more information on hypertension, please visit this link.

The American Heart Association has released a new report stating that the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, pescatarian diet and vegetarian diet are better for heart health. These diets are often rich in seafood, legumes, and carbohydrates that have fiber, as well as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and potassium-rich foods.

It's not necessary to completely cut carbohydrates and fats out of your diet, but rather find a pattern of eating that works best for you while being mindful. It's important to have carbohydrate literacy, as we need them as fuel and energy for our brain. In terms of fat, replacing saturated and synthetic fats with mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in nuts, seeds, and some fruits like olive and avocado can be a heart-healthy choice.