Heart HealthBrazilian Heart Diet Program Reduces Major Cardiovascular Events in 2,534 Patients
The BALANCE Program tested whether a culturally-adapted Brazilian diet could prevent cardiovascular events as effectively as the Mediterranean diet. This randomized trial enrolled 2,534 patients with existing heart disease, comparing an intensive nutrition program using affordable Brazilian foods against standard dietary advice. The intervention included personalized counseling, group sessions, and phone follow-ups to improve adherence. Researchers tracked major outcomes including death, heart attacks, strokes, and hospitalizations over four years. This study addresses a critical gap in nutrition research by testing whether locally-available foods can provide cardiovascular protection similar to the well-studied Mediterranean diet.
