Thu Sep 19 00:07:00 UTC 2024: ## Updated Nutri-Score System Shows Stronger Link Between Poor Diet and Heart Disease
**A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe reveals a strong connection between poor dietary quality, as measured by the updated Nutri-Score system, and an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.**
The study, which involved over 345,000 participants from ten European countries, tracked individuals over an average of 12.3 years. Participants consuming food with lower nutritional quality, as graded by the updated Nutri-Score, showed a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, particularly myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke.
This research builds upon previous studies that have examined the relationship between diet and heart health. However, the findings from this new study, which used the updated 2023 Nutri-Score system, are particularly significant due to the system’s enhanced ability to accurately assess dietary quality.
The updated Nutri-Score, which uses a five-color and letter system to rate the nutritional quality of food, provides a more precise and continuous scale for ranking food items. This allows for a more accurate assessment of individual dietary habits and their impact on heart health.
The study also identified country-specific variations, with stronger associations between Nutri-Score and cardiovascular outcomes observed in countries like Denmark, Sweden, and the UK. This suggests that the impact of diet quality on heart health may vary depending on regional food consumption patterns.
The researchers believe these findings highlight the importance of using the Nutri-Score as a public health tool. The system can provide consumers with a clear and easy-to-understand guide for making healthier food choices, which can ultimately contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
First Piper 