Heart Health or Hype? Exploring the effect of diet trends on cardiovascular disease

Certain foods have been touted as providing special benefits in preventing cardiovascular disease. We reviewed the literature supporting cardioprotective effects from cranberries, chocolate, dairy foods, and omega-3 fatty acids. To varying degrees, all four of these categories of food provide demonstrated benefits for heart health. For each food investigated, we provided insight into how they can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle along with some caveats against their overuse. A balanced, nutritious diet including some of these foods, combined with an active lifestyle, can provide proven benefits for cardiovascular health.