Heart attack risk 'substantially' lowered by switching to vegan diet, study says

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Giving up meat for a more plant-based diet can lower heart disease risks, according to a new study.The question of whether eating meat impacts heart health is not new, but the latest findings may have steak fans reaching for tofu instead.

Research analysis published in the European Heart Journal on Thursday has found that vegetarian and vegan diets are linked to lowering cholesterol.

Study authors say results show plant-based diets can play a significant role in reducing blocked arteries, thereby lowering the risk of serious heart diseases like heart attacks and strokes.Scientists examined 30 randomised trials with a total of 2,372 participants spanning from 1982 and 2022.

Positive results were seen across people of different ages, weights, ethnicities and health status.While this study doesn't claim that eating meat is a direct cause of heart disease, those who are high risk may want to consider switching to plant based proteins like pulses, nuts and tofu - in place of processed bacon, unprocessed beef and even poultry products such as chicken.To come to conclusions, scientists examined randomised trials that quantified the effect of vegetarian or vegan diets versus omnivorous diets -which include meat and dairy on levels of all types of cholesterol.