LONDON: A new research suggests that a diet based on fruits and vegetables along with a glass of wine reduces the risk of heart attack by more than half.
The researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm have claimed that diet and lifestyle could have a huge effect on heart health , particularly for women.
''Coronary heart disease is the most important cause of death and disability in women,'' Daily Mail quoted researchers as saying.
''Despite a lower incidence in women, heart disease related mortality and the percentage of sudden deaths from coronary diseases without previous symptoms is higher and the trend of decline in incidence is slower than in men.'' they added.
The research cames as a result of tracking the diet and health of a group of postmenopausal women for six years.
A study of almost 25,000 women showed that those who followed the diet comprising fruits and vegetables were 60 per cent less likely to suffer heart problems. Non-smokers who followed it and also exercised cut the risk by 90 per cent.
During the course of the study, 308 of the women had a heart attack, of which 51 were fatal.
Analysis showed that those who ate lots of fruit and vegetables along with wholegrain foods, fish, beans and small amounts of alcohol were 57 per cent less prone to a heart attack.
The amount of alcohol found to be beneficial was roughly the equivalent of half a glass of wine a day.
