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people who eat too much fresh, minimally processed plant foods the risk of developing is quite low heart diseaseAccording to one of the most detailed studies ever conducted on how diet quality affects heart health.
Research, published in Lancet Regional Health – EuropeFollowed 63,835 adults France For an average of nine years as part of the NutriNet-Sante public-health study.
It was found that the participants whose diet had more amounts of whole grains and fruits. vegetables And legumes had a 44 percent lower risk of coronary heart disease and a 32 percent lower risk overall. cardiovascular disease Compared to those who had less of these foods in their diets.
In contrast, participants whose plant-based diet relied heavily on ultra-processed products such as sweetened drinks, refined grains, packaged breads or prepared plant-based foods had a 46 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease and a 38 percent higher risk of overall heart disease.
Researchers from INRAE, Inserm, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord and CINAM said the findings suggest that both the quality of nutrition and the level of industrial processing determine whether a plant-based diet benefits heart health.
“The results of this study add evidence about the relevance of considering both food processing in addition to diet quality for dietary guidelines,” the authors wrote.
The study also showed that a 10 percent greater proportion of unprocessed plant foods in the diet was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of heart disease, while the same increase in ultra-processed animal foods was associated with a 24 percent greater risk.
The researchers said the results support public-health guidance that promotes fresh, frozen or minimally processed plant foods — such as fruits, vegetables and pulses — while limiting industrially produced items high in salt, sugar or fat.
Ultra-processed foods are those that go through multiple industrial steps and contain additives such as flavors, emulsifiers or hydrogenated oils. Previous research has linked these foods to obesity and diabetes, but this is one of the first large studies to examine how they affect the risk of a plant-based diet.
Several studies included in the meta-analysis reported that eating healthy, minimally or non-processed plant-based foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, were consistently associated with cardiovascular benefits. Research published by the University of Cambridge last month also found that eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains and cutting back red meat And sugary drinks may reduce its risk. Type 2 diabetes.