AIIMS introduces first Indian‑adapted Mediterranean diet to fight heart disease

Clinicians and nutrition researchers from AIIMS, Delhi, in collaboration with The George Institute for Global Health and the University of South Carolina, have developed the country’s first Indian‑adapted Mediterranean diet (IAMD).

Funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the week-long diet plan blends Mediterranean heart‑healthy principles with locally accessible Indian ingredients, and is currently being tested in a clinical trial involving 140 participants, nearly half of whom have coronary artery disease (CAD).

Published in BMC Nutrition, the IAMD is designed around anti‑inflammatory foods commonly found in Indian diets—but structured to lower Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) scores significantly.

While typical CAD patients registered DII values between –1.8 and 3.8 (median ~1.1), the IAMD achieves a median of –8.0—approaching the theoretical maximum anti‑inflammatory score.

Dr. Ambuj Roy, cardiology professor at AIIMS and principal investigator, explained the diet’s goal: reducing inflammation and promoting longevity by integrating more legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and healthy oils.

Research shows such diets support brain, gut, and cardiovascular health, lowering risks of dementia, cancer, and heart disease.

To adapt Mediterranean staples to Indian tables, wheat, rice, and maize replace farro and bulgur; mustard and peanut oils act as substitutes for olive oil; and herbs like tulsi, turmeric, ajwain, and radish leaves are used in place of thyme or marjoram. Local leafy greens such as bathua, chaulai, fenugreek leaves enrich vegetable intake.

The current trial at AIIMS will evaluate three key parameters: efficacy, acceptability, and feasibility of the IAMD among patients with CAD. Participating patients are monitored for vital risk factors, dietary adherence, and overall improvement compared to controls during the trial period.

The Mediterranean diet, backed globally by large studies like the Spanish PREDIMED trial, has demonstrated roughly 30% lower cardiovascular event risk, including heart attacks, strokes, and mortality.