Study title and authors:
How could changes in diet explain changes in coronary heart disease mortality in Spain? The Spanish paradox
L Serra-Majem, L Ribas, R Tresserras, J Ngo and L Salleras
Department of Public Health, University of Barcelona, Spain.
This paper reviewed and compared trends in coronary heart disease and stroke mortality in Spain from 1966 to 1990 and changes in food consumption.
The review found:
(a) Rates of heart disease deaths fell.
(b) Rates of stroke death fell.
(c) There was an increase in meat consumption.
(d) There was a decrease in carbohydrate consumption.
(e) Fat and saturated fat intakes increased.
This review shows that an increase in consumption of saturated fat and meat, together with a decrease in consumption of carbohydrate led to lower rates of heart disease and stroke.