title: What should we eat? Evidence from observational studies.
abstract: Observational studies provide a wealth of important correlations between diet and disease. There is a clear pattern of dietary habits that is associated with reduced rates of a multitude of common illnesses, including heart attack, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. In some cases, interventional studies have proven the benefits of dietary change; in others, there is insufficient evidence to prove causation. Based on the existing evidence, the optimal diet should emphasize fruits and vegetables, nuts, unsaturated oils, whole grains, and fish, while minimizing saturated fats (especially trans fats), sodium, and red meats. Its overall calorie content should be low enough to maintain a healthy weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Chattanooga Unit, Chattanooga, TN, USA. Stephen.Adams@erlanger.org
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Standridge
mesh_terms: D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D011322:Primary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control