Diet

Eating is one of the pleasures in life and so important to us that we would like to know its influence on the risk of CVD. In the 1960s the Seven Countries Study collected 7-day food records among samples of the 16 cohorts.

Longitudinal dietary data representing the usual food consumption of all men were collected in the Zutphen Study (read more). The foods were summarized in 16 food groups and were used to describe dietary patterns. Diet can be analyzed on three levels: the components in foods such as nutrients or bioactive compounds, the actual foods and drinks, and dietary patterns. Diet and CVD were studied on all three levels.

Chocolate and cardiovascular disease

Already in the 18th century chocolate was believed to strengthen the heart, but this benefit was not based on scientific evidence.

Chocolate and cardiovascular disease

Tea and cardiovascular disease

The Seven Countries Study did two analyses that suggest that black tea consumption is inversely related to cardiovascular diseases.

Tea and cardiovascular disease

Wine and cardiovascular disease

The results suggest that low intake of wine may indeed protect against cardiovascular diseases.

Wine and cardiovascular disease

Trans fat and coronary heart disease

The decrease in trans fat intake during the following period has been the most important change in the Dutch diet.

Trans fat and coronary heart disease

Mediterranean dietary patterns in the 1960s

The traditional Mediterranean diet was a nutritionally adequate diet with a varying total fat content, low in saturated fat and very low in trans fat, rich in fiber and antioxidant vitamins or flavonoids.

Mediterranean dietary patterns in the 1960s

Alcohol and cardiovascular disease

Moderate alcohol intake was, compared to no alcohol, associated with a 30% lower mortality from cardiovascular mortality.

Alcohol and cardiovascular disease