Vegetarian diet reduces heart disease death risk by 40 percent

The latest in a long line of papers on the many health benefits of reducing meat intake concludes that a plant-based diet is great news for your heart.

Currently, in the United States, vegetarianism and veganism are steadily becoming more popular. Touted as a more healthful option, many people are working to reduce their meat intake.
A recent review, now published in the journal Progress in Cardiovascular Disease, focused on the benefits of a plant-based diet on cardiovascular health, specifically.

Plant-based diet Helps:

• Risk of death from Cardiovascular disease is reduced by 40 percent.
• Coronary heart disease risk is reduced by 40 percent.
• Blocked arteries are unblocked partially or fully in as many as 91 percent of patients.
• Hypertension risk drops by 34 percent

"A plant-based diet has the power to not only prevent heart disease but also manage and sometimes even reverse it — something no drug has ever done."
                          ----  Study author Dr. Hana Kahleova, Ph.D

There seem to be many reasons why a plant-based diet is more healthful for the heart than a meat-heavy one. It seems that plants impart some benefits, while meat increases certain risks.
For instance, plants are rich in fiber and phytonutrients, which are known to reduce inflammationand oxidative stress. Also, animal products are often high in fat, cholesterol, heme iron, and environmental pollutants.

However, these findings show that if society could be gently nudged toward plant-based diets and away from excessive meat consumption, humanity's heart health could be substantially improved.

Source: Medical News Today

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