In today's era, many people have begun to choose to eat vegetarian food for health, environmental protection and other reasons. According to statistics, there are more than 50 million vegetarians in China, of which women are relatively high. Many people think that a vegetarian diet can help them lose weight and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Some people may ask, does eating a vegetarian diet really reduce the risk of heart disease?
In this regard, doctors believe that although a vegetarian diet has many health benefits, it is not suitable for everyone. There are several groups of people that doctors recommend they can safely consume to reduce the risk of heart disease.
First of all, there are people who are heavier or suffer from obesity. For this group of people, eating a vegetarian diet can help them reduce their intake of high-calorie, high-fat foods and thus lose weight.
In addition, the dietary fiber and nutrients in a vegetarian diet can help maintain gut health and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Therefore, people who weigh more or suffer from obesity can reduce their risk of heart disease by eating a vegetarian diet.
Secondly, there are people with high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the important risk factors for heart disease, and the dietary fiber and potassium in a vegetarian diet can help lower blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Therefore, people with high blood pressure can consider incorporating a vegetarian diet into their diet.
Third, patients with hyperlipidemia. High blood lipids are also one of the important risk factors for heart disease, and dietary fiber and healthy fats in a vegetarian diet can help lower cholesterol and blood lipids, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Therefore, people with hyperlipidemia can also try to eat a vegetarian diet to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fourth, diabetics. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, and dietary fiber and carbohydrates in a vegetarian diet can help maintain blood sugar levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. Therefore, diabetics can also consider incorporating a vegetarian diet into their diet.
However, doctors emphasize that not everyone is suitable for a vegetarian diet. For some people, a vegetarian diet may lead to malnutrition and health problems. Here are some doctor-recommended considerations:
First of all, vegetarians need to pay attention to their protein intake. Protein is an important nutrient that the body needs, and protein in a vegetarian diet is limited. Therefore, vegetarians need to supplement their protein by consuming foods such as legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, etc.
Secondly, vegetarians need to pay attention to their intake of vitamins and minerals. Some vegetarians may face inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals. For example, vegetarians may be deficient in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and iron. Therefore, vegetarians need to supplement by consuming foods rich in these nutrients or through supplements.
Third, vegetarians need to pay attention to their fat intake. Although the fat content in a vegetarian diet is relatively low, vegetarians need to be careful to choose healthy oils**, such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, etc.
Finally, vegetarians need to be aware of food safety issues. Vegetables, fruits, and other ingredients in a vegetarian diet may have problems such as pesticide residues and bacterial contamination. Therefore, vegetarians need to choose fresh, organic ingredients and pay attention to the storage and cooking methods of food.