With the improvement of living standards, people's dietary structure has changed dramatically, and heart disease, as a common disease, has attracted more and more attention. Recently, an emerging form of diet, the vegetarian diet, has been thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. So, can a vegetarian diet really reduce heart disease risk?
A vegetarian diet is a diet that is based on plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These foods are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and plant compounds that are able to remove harmful substances from the body and reduce inflammation.
A long-term vegetarian diet can reduce total cholesterol and LDL levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. A vegetarian diet is also rich in heart-healthy nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, potassium and magnesium, antioxidants, and more.
According to a new study, eating a vegetarian diet can indeed reduce the risk of heart disease. The study, which followed more than 1.5 million people for 25 years, showed that vegetarians had a 22 percent lower risk of heart disease compared to non-vegetarians.
Among them, the reduction in vegetable intake and heart disease risk is most pronounced for vegetarians. In addition, vegetarians have seen a decrease in blood pressure and body mass index, which also helps reduce the risk of heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease is one of the main types of heart disease, and it includes coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, valvular heart disease, etc. For people at high risk of cardiovascular disease, such as those with a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and other diseases, a vegetarian diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Being overweight or obese is another major risk factor for heart disease. Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in a vegetarian diet are rich in fiber and plant compounds, which can increase satiety, reduce calorie intake, help manage weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Smoking and alcohol consumption are another important risk factor for heart disease. Vegetables and fruits in a vegetarian diet are rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce heart damage from smoking and alcohol consumption and reduce the risk of heart disease.
However, doctors also remind that for vegetarians, the following points need to be noted:
A vegetarian diet may lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12, iron, zinc, etc. Therefore, vegetarians need to take care to supplement with adequate nutrients, such as vitamin B12, which can be obtained from foods such as milk, legumes, nuts and seeds.
Vegetarian diets may be higher in salt and sugar, so vegetarians need to take care to control their salt and sugar intake to avoid increasing the risk of heart disease.
Proteins** in a vegetarian diet are mainly legumes, nuts and seeds, among others. However, for some people, excessive protein intake may lead to an increased burden on the kidneys. Therefore, vegetarians need to consume protein in moderation to avoid affecting their health.