Effect of the Mediterranean diet on heart failure biomarkers: a randomized sample from the PREDIMED trial

Aims Scarce data are available on the effect of the traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on heart failure biomarkers. We assessed the effect of TMD on biomarkers related to heart failure in a high cardiovascular disease risk population. Methods and Results A total of 930 subjects at high cardiovascular risk (420 men and 510 women) were recruited in the framework of a multicentre, randomized, controlled, parallel‐group clinical trial directed at testing the efficacy of the TMD on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (The PREDIMED Study). Participants were assigned to a low‐fat diet (control, n = 310) or one of two TMDs [TMD + virgin olive oil (VOO) or TMD + nuts]. Depending on group assignment, participants received free provision of extra‐virgin olive oil, mixed nuts, or small non‐food gifts. After 1 year of intervention, both TMDs decreased plasma N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide, with changes reaching significance vs. control group (P