RN Nursing · Nutrition · Practice question
Which diet has been shown to have substantially lower rates of cardiovascular disease and may also reduce risk for cognitive decline?
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Vegetarian diet.
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✓
Mediterranean diet.
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Keto diet.
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Diabetic diet.
Answer & explanation
Correct: Mediterranean diet.
The Mediterranean diet has been shown in numerous large epidemiological studies and clinical trials to substantially lower rates of cardiovascular disease and is also associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This eating pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, olive oil as the primary fat source, moderate fish and poultry consumption, limited red meat, and moderate wine consumption with meals. Its cardiovascular benefits are attributed to high levels of monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber that collectively reduce inflammation, improve lipid profiles, lower blood pressure, and improve endothelial function. The MIND diet, which is a hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, has been specifically linked to reduced cognitive decline. A vegetarian diet can reduce cardiovascular risk but the evidence is less robust and consistent than that for the Mediterranean diet, and it has not been shown to have the same broad protective effect across both cardiovascular and cognitive domains. The ketogenic diet is high in fat and very low in carbohydrates and while it may assist with weight loss, it has not demonstrated substantial cardiovascular benefit and raises concerns about long-term lipid effects. A diabetic diet focuses on blood glucose management rather than cardiovascular protection specifically. The Mediterranean diet is the well-established evidence-based answer in nutrition and public health literature.
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