Which type of diet is more beneficial for health? This discussion has been going on for a long time. Different studies have seen different findings, although almost all have one thing in common people who follow a vegetarian or plant-based diet have been found to be healthier.
Researchers say, non-vegetarian foods such as chicken eggs or red meat are definitely rich in elements like iron, and protein, but in the long term, the risk of developing serious diseases has been seen in those who take plant-based diets.
Researchers conducted a study to find out which might be more beneficial, a non-vegetarian or vegetarian diet, in which it was found that compared to meat eaters, people following a vegetarian or plant-based diet had lower levels of fat or any other fat in their blood. The risk of congestion was found to be low. It may also protect arteries from clogging, potentially reducing the risk of problems such as heart disease and stroke. For example, you can keep your heart healthy by following a vegetarian diet.
Beneficial diet plan for heart diseases
The findings of the results of this study have been published in the European Heart Journal on 24 May last month. In this, researchers said that due to the health benefits of a plant-based diet globally, its demand has increased rapidly. A large number of people have either abstained from non-vegetarian food or have reduced it.
In this research done between 1982 and 2022, the dietary system of the people was closely studied.
What did the study find?
In studies conducted at different locations, researchers advised some people to follow an omnivorous diet (meat, dairy, and plant-based) for about 7 months. Others were asked to have a vegetarian diet or a non-vegetarian diet. The study concluded that those who ate a plant-based diet had lower total blood fat levels than those on other diet plans.
Specifically, people following a plant-based diet saw 7% lower cholesterol, 10% lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and 14% lower apolipoprotein B (apo B) levels. Increased levels of all these can damage the heart. Significantly, apoB is the main protein found in bad cholesterol and is known to be a factor in heart disease.
What do researchers say?
Study author Ruth Fricke, professor at the University of Copenhagen, said in a news release, "The lipoproteins that cause blockages in arteries were found to be about 14% lower in those following a vegetarian and plant-based diet." As effective as taking cholesterol-lowering drugs for patients. Someone following a plant-based diet for five years could reduce their risk of heart disease by up to 7%.
The way the cases of heart disease are increasing globally, this change in diet can be beneficial in protecting you from serious diseases.
(PC: Freepik)