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Scientists believe doctors may consider this dietary approach as an effective alternative for their patients
The health of the heart and blood vessels is very dependent on our diet. After all, the more fatty and unhealthy foods it contains, the more cholesterol is deposited in the bloodstream, which becomes the cause of many diseases.
RBC-Ukraine writes about what diet is good for the health of the heart and blood vessels with reference to the publication of nutritionist Oleg Shvets on Facebook.
What diet is very good for the heart and blood vessels?
“There is growing evidence that a vegan diet has potential cardiovascular benefits due to increased intake of plant fiber and other protective nutrients from vegetables, legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds,” the doctor says.
The researchers decided to compare the effects of a healthy vegan diet and a healthy balanced omnivore diet on cardiometabolic risk indicators.
In 2022, a randomized clinical trial of 22 healthy adult pairs of identical twins was conducted in the United States. Of these, 77% were women, the average age was 39 and a half years. One twin from each pair followed a vegan diet, the other – an omnivorous diet.
What the study showed
“For 8 weeks, the participants were compared for the effects of diet on health. For the first 4 weeks, they received meals corresponding to the group through a food delivery service, and from the 5th to 8th weeks they prepared their own, which corresponded to the assigned diet,” says Shvets.
The primary outcome was the difference in low-density lipoprotein concentrations. Secondary are changes in cardiometabolic risk markers, plasma vitamin B12 levels and body weight.
“After 8 weeks, the twins on the vegan diet had significant mean reductions in LDL cholesterol, fasting insulin levels, and body weight,” says the nutritionist.
In this study, a healthy vegan diet resulted in improved cardiometabolic outcomes compared to a healthy diet.
The scientists believe that physicians may consider this dietary approach as an effective alternative for their patients, given the cardioprotective properties of a plant-based eating pattern.
