In men with heart disease, following a Mediterranean diet for 7 years was linked to about 33% fewer major heart events than a low-fat diet.
See the scientific wording
In men with established coronary heart disease, following a Mediterranean diet for 7 years compared with a low-fat diet is associated with a lower rate of major cardiovascular events: 67 of 414 men (16.2%) on the Mediterranean diet versus 94 of 413 men (22.8%) on the low-fat diet (ABSOLUTE risks; absolute difference 6.6 percentage points, about 66 fewer events per 1000 men over 7 years), with a multiadjusted hazard ratio of 0.669 (95% CI 0.489–0.915), corresponding to about a 33% lower RELATIVE rate/hazard of major cardiovascular events.
Supported
Randomized trials1 of 1 parts have evidence behind them.
Supported
1 of 1 parts have evidence behind them.
Parts of this claim
In men with established coronary heart disease, following a Mediterranean diet for 7 years compared with a low-fat diet is associated with a lower rate of major cardiovascular events (67 of 414 men [16.2%] vs 94 of 413 men [22.8%]; absolute difference 6.6 percentage points; multiadjusted hazard ratio 0.669, 95% CI 0.489-0.915; about 33% relative reduction).
Supported1 study
Evidence is judged against each part on its own, so a study that tests one part never counts as a verdict on the whole claim.
What the research says
1 study reviewedSupporting (1)
Randomized Controlled TrialHuman
This subgroup analysis of the CORDIOPREV randomized trial found a statistically significant reduction in major cardiovascular events among men assigned to the Mediterranean diet compared with the low-fat diet, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.669 and p=0.013. This supports a stronger association in men than in women in this trial.
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting studies found yet
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Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting study
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In men with heart disease, following a Mediterranean diet for 7 years was linked to about 33% fewer major heart events than a low-fat diet.
Mechanism
1 studyEvidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
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Contradicting (0)
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Score Breakdown
No multi-axis breakdown available yet. The overall Pro / Against score above is the best signal.
- No clinical evidence is available; the score reflects mechanistic plausibility only.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials of Mediterranean Diet vs Low-Fat Diet for Major Cardiovascular Events in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in men with established coronary heart disease, comparing Mediterranean diet for at least 7 years versus low-fat diet, with major cardiovascular events as the primary outcome and pooled hazard ratios/risk ratios plus absolute risk differences.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Mediterranean Diet vs Low-Fat Diet for Major Cardiovascular Events in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Multicenter randomized controlled trial in men with established coronary heart disease, assigning Mediterranean diet versus low-fat diet for 7 years, with blinded outcome adjudication for major cardiovascular events and measurement of adherence.
Prospective Cohort Study of Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Major Cardiovascular Events in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Prospective cohort of men with established coronary heart disease, measuring baseline Mediterranean diet adherence versus low-fat diet pattern, following for 7 years for major cardiovascular events, and adjusting for clinical and lifestyle confounders.
Case-Control Study of Prior Mediterranean Diet and Major Cardiovascular Events in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Case-control study in men with established coronary heart disease, comparing prior Mediterranean diet versus low-fat diet history between cases with incident major cardiovascular events and matched controls without events.
Cross-Sectional Study of Mediterranean Diet and Prevalent Major Cardiovascular Events in Men With Coronary Heart Disease
Cross-sectional survey of men with established coronary heart disease, assessing current Mediterranean diet versus low-fat diet pattern and history of major cardiovascular events.