Low-Fiber Diet Linked to High-Risk Atherosclerotic Plaques in Coronary Arteries

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at Lund University highlights a significant connection between consuming a diet low in dietary fiber and the development of unstable, high-risk atherosclerotic plaques in coronary arteries. These particular types of plaques are dangerous because they can rupture, leading to blood clots and heart attacks. The research also emphasizes how dietary patterns influence not only the presence but also the composition of arterial plaques, affecting their potential to cause cardiovascular events.

Utilizing advanced imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT), the study examined individuals without any prior symptoms of heart disease or diagnosed cardiovascular conditions. Participants’ diets were assessed through questionnaires, and a dietary index was used to classify healthy versus unhealthy eating patterns. Those with diets rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, vegetable oils, and low in red meats and processed snacks demonstrated fewer and less dangerous plaques. Conversely, individuals with poorer dietary habits showed a higher prevalence of atherosclerosis, including more severe narrowing of the coronary arteries.

Specifically, among 24,097 participants aged 50 to 64 from the SCAPIS study, those with the least healthy diets—characterized by low fiber intake—exhibited a 44% rate of coronary artery changes, compared to 36% among the healthiest diet group. Moreover, high-risk plaques, such as those causing 50% or more arterial narrowing, were 1.6 times more common in the low-fiber diet group.

The team found that factors like abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and elevated triglycerides partially mediated the link between diet and plaque formation. These findings suggest that unhealthy, low-fiber eating habits may influence metabolic processes and promote atherosclerosis, increasing the likelihood of heart attacks. Although mechanisms remain to be fully understood, the evidence advocates for dietary modifications aligned with international guidelines emphasizing increased intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and healthy oils, while reducing processed meats, sugary drinks, and snacks.

Ingrid Larsson, an author of the study and nutrition expert, underscores that adopting such dietary patterns could significantly diminish the development of dangerous plaques in the arteries, thus lowering heart attack risk. The research advocates for proactive nutrition-based prevention strategies to combat coronary artery disease.