There is growing scientific interest in whether an Indian‑adapted version of the Mediterranean diet can help protect the heart — and AIIMS Delhi is actively exploring this.
🧬 What is the Indian‑Adapted Mediterranean Diet (IAMD)?
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Developed by AIIMS Delhi, The George Institute (India), and University of South Carolina researchers, and funded by ICMR. It adapts Mediterranean dietary principles using locally available Indian foods and flavors.
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Whole grains (e.g. broken whole wheat and Basmati rice in place of farro/bulgur), pulses, nuts, seasonal fruits and vegetables are central.
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Healthy fats come from mustard, peanut, and rice‑bran oils instead of olive oil.
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Anti‑inflammatory spices and herbs include turmeric, tulsi, ajwain, fenugreek leaves, radish greens, nutmeg and mace.
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Calorie-specific 7-day meal plans (1200–2000 kcal) are created to maintain balance across macronutrients and reduce inflammatory potential (measured by Dietary Inflammatory Index, DII).
🔬 The Evidence So Far: Clinical Trials & Past Research
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AIIMS is conducting a clinical trial involving 140 participants, nearly half with established coronary artery disease (CAD), to evaluate the diet's efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility in reducing inflammatory markers and improving heart health outcomes.
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Preliminary findings show the IAMD achieves a median DII score around –8.0, compared to typical CAD patients’ diets (median ~1.1)—indicating a much stronger anti-inflammatory profile.
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Older randomized trials from the early 2000s in India (the Indo‑Mediterranean Diet Heart Study) showed that a similar dietary pattern led to reduced cardiovascular events (10% vs 19%), including fewer heart attacks, angina, heart failure and sudden cardiac death compared to a standard diet over two years.
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Globally, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce cardiovascular events by roughly 30%, per large trials such as PREDIMED in Spain.
❤️ So, can an Indian version protect your heart?
Potentially yes — existing data supports its cardioprotective promise:
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It shares the heart-healthy core of the Mediterranean diet (plant-based focus, healthy fats, low saturated fat, minimal processed foods).
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A high negative DII score suggests strong anti-inflammatory benefits, which is linked to lower heart disease risk.
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Preliminary results from similar diets suggest improved blood pressure, lipid profiles, glycemic control, and reduced cardiovascular events in South Asians.
However, definitive confirmation awaits the results from the ongoing AIIMS trial.
📋 What This Means in Practice
✅ Benefits of IAMD:
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Rich in anti-inflammatory foods (spices, legumes, fresh produce, healthy oils)
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Uses familiar, affordable, locally available ingredients
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Nutrient‑balanced and culturally adapted
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Designed for different calorie needs and family‑wide adoption
⚠️ Caveats:
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Evidence is promising but not yet conclusive for long-term outcomes.
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The current trial is small and short-term.
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As with any dietary plan, individuals should consult healthcare providers—especially those with existing conditions—before major changes.
🧭 Bottom Line
An Indian‑adapted Mediterranean diet shows strong potential for heart protection, with early trials and past studies pointing towards real cardiovascular benefits. It preserves the core strengths of the classic Mediterranean diet—anti-inflammatory, plant-forward, healthy fats—while using ingredients native to India. Final proof in terms of reduced heart attacks or death rates will depend on the full AIIMS trial results.
In the meantime, integrating more whole grains, pulses, nuts, fruits, vegetables, spices, and healthy oils (like mustard or peanut oil), and cutting back on refined and processed foods can offer heart‑friendly benefits broadly. If you'd like, I can walk you through sample menu ideas or practical ways to follow such a plan in your own lifestyle.
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