New Indian Diet Model Could Help Fight Heart Disease with Everyday Ingredients

Heart disease remains the top cause of death in India, affecting people at an increasingly early age. Doctors have regularly warned about stress, a lack of exercise, and smoking, but one major risk factor is generally overlooked: our everyday food.

Researchers from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and collaborators recently published a study in BMC Nutrition that provides a new dietary model tailored for Indian patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This "Indian Adapted Mediterranean Diet" (IAMD) is based on the well-known Mediterranean Diet, but it incorporates familiar, readily available Indian foods.

A Typical Diet with Local Roots
The traditional Mediterranean diet is known for its heart-healthy properties. It typically consists of fruits, vegetables, legumes (such as lentils and beans), almonds, olive oil, and seafood. Many global research studies have found that this diet reduces inflammation in the body, which is a key risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.

However, as the researchers observed, just replicating a Western diet does not work well in India. Foods such as quinoa and olive oil are either too expensive or not widely used in Indian cuisine. As a result, the research team concentrated on developing an alternative that is appropriate for Indian eating patterns, employs local foods, and respects cultural preferences.

The researchers looked at the dietary habits of 30 CAD patients in North India and created a meal plan based on Indian staples. Instead of olive oil, they substituted mustard and groundnut oils. Millets, pulses (such as dal), whole wheat, garlic, turmeric, and green leafy vegetables served as the foundation for the meals. Traditional spices such as ajwain (carom seeds), tulsi (basil), and methi (fenugreek) were also used due to their health advantages.

Measuring Inflammation With Diet

The study employed a scientific metric known as the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII). This score helps determine how diet impacts inflammation in the body. A positive score suggests that a food increases inflammation, whilst a negative score implies that it may help reduce it. The scale ranges from +8 (extremely inflammatory) to -9 (very anti-inflammatory).

Prior to the dietary adjustments, the participants' typical diets had a median DII score of +1.1, indicating a mildly inflammatory diet. Their score dropped to -8.0 after switching to the IAMD strategy, which is among the best outcomes possible. This remarkable improvement implies that simple dietary adjustments can significantly lower internal inflammation, a major cause of heart disease.

Practical Tools for the Public

To help patients better grasp the diet, the researchers developed a visual "IAMD plate.". It, like the food pyramid, indicates how much of each food group—grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, oils, and proteins—should be consumed on a daily basis. They also sent a booklet with recipes and tips on good practices, such as quitting smoking, avoiding drinking, and exercising regularly.

Why Does the Study Matter for Public Health?

This research arrives at a critical moment. Over the past few decades, Indian diets have evolved from traditional foods to manufactured snacks, sugary drinks, and fried dishes. As a result, more people are being diagnosed with obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The IAMD idea provides a viable solution. Because it uses familiar Indian components, it is more likely to be embraced by a diverse variety of individuals than foreign diet trends. Food-based prevention of heart disease has the potential to lower medical costs and the need for medications.
However, there are challenges. Can people in rural or low-income areas follow this diet? Will children have regular access to nuts, pulses, and fresh produce? The researchers recognise that further research is needed to determine how this paradigm can work in various sections of the country.
India's fight against lifestyle diseases needs more than just hospitals to succeed. Preventive interventions, including dietary changes, must be part of the answer. This new Indian version of the Mediterranean diet demonstrates that eating well does not necessitate foreign foods or pricey ingredients. It just requires awareness, planning, and support from health programmes and policies.
According to the study, the way to improve heart health in India may begin with the plate rather than the pharmacy.

The writer is a Delhi-based health journalist focusing on medical science, public health, and healthcare policy.