According to research from McMaster University, a heart-healthy diet includes veggies, nuts, and the Mediterranean diet, known for being rich in nuts, grains, fish, and olive oil. Black-listed for a heart-healthy diet are starch carbs and trans fats. Researchers (based on the analysis of 200 studies involving millions of people) did not find any clear evidence that meat, milk, and eggs are either good or bad for the heart.

This study provides an explanation of how researchers rated 189 prior studies on this topic. The analysis reaffirms the benefits of a Mediterranean diet — rich in vegetables, nuts, whole grains, fish, and olive oil — compared with a Western diet, which is heavy on processed meats, red meat, refined grains, and high-fat dairy.