Cardiovascular nutrition guidelines
I heard the American College of Cardiology just published a new scientific statement on nutrition and heart disease. What does it recommend, and what changed from the old "good food vs. bad food" thinking?
The new ACC Scientific Statement, published in JACC on September 30th, 2026, shifts the emphasis away from individual "good" and "bad" foods. It focuses instead on your overall dietary pattern and on how processed your food is. What it supports: Plant-forward eating, Whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, Unsaturated fats and Lower sodium. What it recommends limiting: Sugar-sweetened beverages, Processed meats, Poor-quality ultra-processed foods. Other key points: Replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat reduces LDL-C and cardiovascular risk. Routine omega-3 supplements are not recommended for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Alcohol should not be started for any supposed cardiovascular benefit. Think about your overall eating pattern rather than single foods. Favor minimally processed, plant-forward foods and unsaturated fats, and don't rely on omega-3 supplements or alcohol for heart protection. Food and Health: Nutrition for Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease: 2026 ACC Scientific Statement, A Report of the American College of Cardiology