The American Heart Association (AHA) has published its updated “2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health” in the peer-reviewed journal Circulation, recommending a lifelong healthy eating pattern to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. The guidance comes as more than half of adults and about 60% of children in the United States have unhealthy diets, contributing to high blood pressure, obesity, and deaths from chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease.
The statement outlines nine key features of a heart-healthy dietary pattern. These include adjusting energy intake and expenditure to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight; eating a variety of vegetables and fruits; choosing foods made mostly with whole grains; selecting healthy sources of protein such as plant-based options, fish, and low-fat dairy; opting for unsaturated fats from nuts, seeds, and plant oils; choosing minimally processed foods; minimizing added sugars; reducing sodium intake; and limiting or avoiding alcohol.
“For healthy eating to be more attainable and sustainable, we recommend people focus on their overall eating pattern rather than specific nutrients or foods,” said Alice H. Lichtenstein, D.Sc., FAHA, volunteer chair of the scientific statement writing committee and senior scientist at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. “Every time you choose to make a swap for a healthier alternative, you’re making a step toward a healthier life.”
The guidance is designed to improve cardiovascular health but is consistent with dietary recommendations for conditions like Type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, some cancers, and brain health due to shared risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, excess weight, and reduced kidney function. “A healthy dietary pattern can support lifelong health and well-being beyond cardiovascular health,” Lichtenstein added.
For more information, the AHA encourages visiting heart.org/healthydiet and consulting with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
