Summary
This cross-sectional analysis of 8,533 NHANES participants (2007–2018) investigated the association between diet quality for gut microbiota support and cardiovascular disease prevalence. Higher DI-GM scores showed inverse associations with CVD (OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89–0.97), with a linear dose–response relationship and stronger protective effects among older adults and those with hypertension or diabetes. The authors acknowledge the need for longitudinal studies to validate these observational findings.
Regional applicability
Findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom policy and practice as they utilise US national survey data from NHANES, but the associations between microbiota-supportive diets and cardiovascular disease are likely generalisable to UK populations. However, UK-specific validation using routine health records (NHS data) and dietary surveys would strengthen evidence for UK dietary guidance and public health interventions.
Key measures
Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) score; beneficial gut microbiota score; self-reported physician-diagnosed cardiovascular disease; odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals
Outcomes reported
The study examined associations between the Dietary Index for Gut Microbiota (DI-GM) and prevalence of cardiovascular disease using logistic regression and restricted cubic splines. Higher DI-GM scores were associated with lower CVD prevalence, with stronger associations observed in older individuals and those with hypertension or diabetes.
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