A British scientific study has shown that a high-quality plant-based diet plays a pivotal role in reducing the risk of heart disease.
The study included 190,092 middle-aged and older adults from the UK Biobank, none of whom had heart failure at the start of the study. During the 13-year follow-up period, 4,351 new cases of the disease were recorded.
The researchers assessed the participants' diets using three indicators: total plant-based foods, "healthy" plant-based foods, and "unhealthy" plant-based foods . Healthy plant-based foods included vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, while less healthy foods included refined grains, sweets, candies, and other processed foods, even if they did not contain meat.
The results showed that participants who consumed larger quantities of high-quality plant-based foods had a 16% lower risk of heart failure compared to those who consumed smaller quantities. Conversely, a diet rich in "less healthy" plant-based foods was associated with an 11% increased risk.
Researchers emphasize that a plant-based diet alone does not guarantee protection ; the key to preventing heart failure lies in food choices and processing methods. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains can be particularly beneficial for heart health in middle-aged and older adults.
