Junk Foods Could Negate The Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet

New research explores the advantages of a purely vegan diet for cardiovascular health.

Plant-based diets are unquestionably popular around the world, and this new study shows that vegans who only eat healthful foods primarily:

• fruit 
• vegetables
• whole grains
• nuts
• legumes
• oils
• tea 
• coffee
  

Enjoy better heart health compared to those people who ate meat and dairy.

The researchers at the Harokopio University of Athens looked at the dietary habits of over 2,000 adults and their overall health for 10 years. They analyzed the association between the participants’ diet and the development of heart disease.

Demosthenes Panagiotakos, Ph.D., study’s lead author said that these findings highlighted that even a small reduction in daily consumption of animal-based items like processed meat, followed by an increase in healthy plant-based food contribute to better cardiovascular health.

There was nothing groundbreaking about the results of the study. We have known for a long time that eating healthy foods is the way forward. “Based on these results, it seems that simply following a plant-based or vegetarian diet is not enough to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. It is also important to focus on specific, nutritious plant-based food to see a benefit in terms of reducing cardiovascular disease.” Panagiotakos said. 

That’s why sweets, juices, and sweetened beverages should only be savored on rare occasions.

Source:

To Reap Heart Benefits of a Plant-Based Diet, Avoid Junk Food