American Heart Association guidelines update what to eat for heart health

The American Heart Association released updated dietary guidance that emphasizes shifting from meat to plant proteins and recommends limiting saturated fat, red meat, ultra-processed foods, full-fat dairy, and alcohol.

The American Heart Association released updated dietary guidelines intended to support heart health. The update draws on recent research and the AHA’s routine reviews, which occur about every five years. Key shifts include a stronger recommendation to choose plant proteins over meat and new emphasis on limiting saturated fat, red meat, ultra-processed foods, full-fat dairy, and alcohol. The guidance also highlights sodium and potassium balance as important for blood pressure. Main points: - The guidelines call for a shift from meat to plant protein, noting plant proteins tend to be higher in unsaturated fats and fiber. - For animal proteins, the authors recommend fish and seafood and advise against red meat because of its saturated fat content and links to cardiovascular risk. - The AHA recommends limiting saturated fat and favors low-fat or fat-free dairy, while acknowledging debate and that this issue will be monitored as new data emerge. - The guidance advises against diets high in ultra-processed foods and urges greater availability of minimally processed, affordable options in the marketplace. - The new guidance does not specify a safe level of alcohol for heart health and notes that alcohol is linked to increased risks for certain cancers; it also recommends reducing sodium and increasing potassium to help manage blood pressure. Summary: The update reiterates dietary priorities the AHA links to lower cardiovascular risk and highlights areas where evidence is still evolving, such as dairy and saturated fat. The authors say the organization will continue to monitor new research. Undetermined at this time.