A new study finds eating more plant-based protein and less animal-based protein lowers the risk of heart disease and coronary artery disease.
Getting your daily protein fix from more veggies and less meat will help keep your heart healthy, a new study finds.
The senior author says most of us need to shift our diets toward plant-based proteins and “We can do so by cutting down on meat, especially red and processed meats, and eating more legumes and nuts.”
The researchers analyzed 30 years-worth of data on diet, lifestyle, and heart health among about 200,000 people.
The results showed those who consumed the highest ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein had 19% lower odds of heart disease and 27% lower odds of coronary heart disease.
The average American currently eats one serving of plant protein for every 3 servings of animal protein.
Andrea Glenn, Lead Author, says, “Our findings suggest a ratio of at least 1:2 is much more effective in preventing cardiovascular disease” and that an even higher ratio may be needed to protect against coronary heart disease.
The researchers say these risk reductions are likely driven by the replacement of red and processed meats with plant proteins particularly nuts and legume, which have been linked to improved blood lipids, blood pressure and anti-inflammatory markers.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Author Affiliation: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
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