Take heart vegans

Plant-based diets protect your ticker

Yet another study shows a strong link between a plant-based diet and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death. This study looked at 12,168 people, aged 45 to 64, over 30 years. They compared diets rich in plant foods versus ones containing red and processed meat and refined carbohydrates.

Results showed that those who ate a mostly plant-based diet were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and to die from it than those eating diets rich in meat and refined carbs. Results showed a 14-16 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a 31-32 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular death and an 18-25 per cent lower risk of all-cause death among those eating the most plant-based foods.

But not all plant-based diets are equal – obviously the healthier the diet, the greater the benefits. This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing how plant-based diets are associated with health benefits.

_{Kim et al. 2019. Plant-Based Diets Are Associated With a Lower Risk of Incident Cardiovascular Disease, Cardiovascular Disease Mortality, and All-Cause Mortality in a General Population of Middle-Aged Adults. Journal of the American Heart Association. 8 (16) e012865.}