Scientists from the Texas Department of State Health Services and other institutions have found that eating a plant-based diet may reduce the risk of heart disease and help protect brain health.
Coronary heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
It is a chronic condition that affects the blood vessels supplying blood to the heart and is also known as coronary artery disease.
Coronary heart disease occurs when the arteries that deliver blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, typically due to plaque buildup.
Although there is no single cause of coronary heart disease, several risk factors—including diet—can increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
A vegetarian or plant-based diet may play an important role in preventing and managing coronary heart disease.
In the current review study, researchers examined the association between vegetarian diets and heart disease, compared the risk of coronary heart disease across different types of vegetarian diets, and analyzed biochemical predictors of heart disease among individuals following these diets.
The team found that adherence to a plant-based diet was associated with a lower risk of heart failure.
The review also supports the potential benefits of vegetarian diets for the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.
These benefits may be due to improvements in blood lipid levels, reductions in body mass index (BMI), and increased intake of antioxidant micronutrients.
In addition, adopting a plant-based diet during adolescence was associated with a lower risk of cerebrovascular disease by middle age, suggesting potential protective effects on brain health.
The researchers emphasized the importance of education and public awareness to help individuals understand how dietary choices can improve long-term health and quality of life.
The research was published in Cureus and conducted by Funmilola Babalola and colleagues.
