Source: Sandra Bastin, extension professor

With February being American Heart Month, now is a great time to learn about ways to lower your risk of developing heart disease. One of the best ways to do this is by following a heart healthy diet.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet and the Mediterranean diet are widely accepted by scientists as being good for your heart. Both emphasize eating more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seafood and lean meats, and fewer fatty foods and sweets. These recommendations are consistent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate. Both the DASH and Mediterranean diets also encourage followers to incorporate physical activity into their day. In addition to being heart healthy, both diets may help you lower your risks for developing type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

The Mediterranean diet has been named one of the best diets in the world on numerous occasions. It focuses on using food to develop the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, rather than following a strict diet. It gets its name from its origins in countries like Greece and Italy that border the Mediterranean Sea.

In addition to being a heart healthy diet, studies strongly suggest that individuals who follow the Mediterranean diet have lower levels of LDL “bad” cholesterol, lower blood pressure, weight loss or weight maintenance, improved eyesight, improve brain function, increased joint relief from rheumatoid arthritis and may live longer.

The DASH diet is designed to help people lower their blood pressure. In addition to consuming nutrient-dense foods, it focuses on lowering sodium intake and eating the correct portion sizes. By following the DASH diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure by a few points within a couple of weeks. Long-term followers have been able to lower the top number of their blood pressure between eight and 14 points, which reduces their risk for heart disease. The diet is consistent with dietary recommendations for lowering your risks for osteoporosis, and stroke.

For more information on ways to eat healthy, contact the (COUNTY NAME) office of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.

Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.

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