American Heart Association Responds to New Dietary Guidelines, Highlights Cardiovascular Health Priorities

The American Heart Association has responded to the release of the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, welcoming several science-based recommendations while highlighting areas requiring further attention to protect cardiovascular health. The organization commended the emphasis on increasing vegetable, fruit, and whole grain consumption while limiting added sugars, refined grains, highly processed foods, saturated fats, and sugary drinks, noting these align with longstanding public health guidance.

However, the Association expressed concern that recommendations regarding salt seasoning and red meat consumption could inadvertently lead consumers to exceed recommended sodium and saturated fat limits, both primary drivers of cardiovascular disease. While the guidelines highlight whole-fat dairy, the Heart Association encourages consumption of low-fat and fat-free dairy products for heart health benefits. The organization also urged more scientific research on appropriate protein consumption amounts and optimal sources, recommending consumers prioritize plant-based proteins, seafood, and lean meats while limiting high-fat animal products like red meat, butter, lard, and tallow linked to increased cardiovascular risk.

The American Heart Association remains committed to working with the administration to reduce chronic disease burden, particularly for future generations, by promoting dietary patterns that significantly reduce added sugars and sodium consumption. The organization continues advocating for policies to reduce sugary drink consumption despite opposition from the soda industry and is working with the administration to develop an operational definition of ultraprocessed food, building upon the Association's recent science advisory available at https://www.heart.org/en/news/2024/02/28/ultraprocessed-foods-and-their-association-with-cardiometabolic-health-evidence-gaps-and-opportunities.

Collaborative initiatives include improving understanding of healthy food's role in preventing and managing chronic disease through programs like the Association's Health Care by Food initiative at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/health-care-by-food and Periodic Table of Food program at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/periodic-table-of-food. The Association will issue updated guidance later this year as part of its commitment to providing science-first dietary recommendations, supporting resources like the Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health scientific statement at https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/dietary-guidance-to-improve-cardiovascular-health and the ACC/AHA Guideline on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease at https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/acc-aha-guideline-on-the-primary-prevention-of-cardiovascular-disease.