Heart health is a big concern for many people. Bad cholesterol levels, scientifically known as LDL cholesterol, can lead to serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes.
One of the main culprits is eating too much meat, especially red and processed kinds like sausages and ham. Researchers have been looking at whether switching out meat for plant-based alternatives could help improve heart health.
Recently, scientists from the University of Warwick took a close look at different studies to see if making this swap could actually make a difference.
And guess what? They found it does! The results were so strong that making this change in your diet could lower your risk of heart disease by 25% in just two years.
What Did the Study Find?
So, how did they do the study? They looked at 12 different research papers that included 459 people. These studies compared the health of people eating regular meat to those eating plant-based or fungus-based meat substitutes.
Plant-based alternatives can come from things like soy, wheat, peanuts, or peas. Fungus-based alternatives are made from a specific kind of fungus and are often sold under the brand name Quorn.
The scientists found that people who ate meat substitutes had better cholesterol levels. To give you an idea, there’s a way to measure cholesterol, and the folks who made the switch lowered their bad cholesterol by a number close to 0.4.
May not sound like a lot, but it is. This change was big enough to significantly lower the risk of heart disease.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
Well, for starters, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Many health experts have been telling us for years to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to help our hearts.
But this study is the first to show that you don’t have to give up the experience of eating “meat.” You can just swap it for a plant-based or fungus-based alternative and still see real benefits.
This is also fantastic news for the planet. These meat substitutes are way less taxing on our Earth’s resources.
They use up to 90% less water, land, and energy than raising animals for meat. That’s a huge win-win; you get to be healthier and do something good for the Earth at the same time.
One thing to keep in mind, though: Not all meat alternatives are created equal. Some might have a lot of salt or unhealthy fats. So, it’s a good idea to read the labels and pick the healthiest options.
In conclusion, if you’re thinking about ways to be healthier or lower your risk of heart disease, swapping out meat for plant-based or fungus-based alternatives might be a great move.
Not only will you be taking a step towards a healthier heart, but you’ll also be doing something good for the planet.
And given the rising concerns about climate change and health, it seems like the perfect time to make the switch.
If you care about health, please read studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and vitamin D supplements strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about plant nutrients that could help reduce high blood pressure, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
The study was published in Diabetics.
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