Credit: Unsplash+ Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but there are ways to manage and even reduce the risk of heart disease through diet.

One approach that has gained a lot of attention is the plant-based diet. Let’s explore how a diet rich in plant foods can help manage heart disease, backed by research and explained in simple terms.

A plant-based diet focuses on foods derived from plants, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. This type of diet minimizes or excludes animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs.

The idea is to eat more natural, unprocessed foods that are rich in nutrients and fiber while avoiding foods high in saturated fats and cholesterol.

Research has shown that plant-based diets can have a significant positive impact on heart health. One key study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who followed a plant-based diet had a lower risk of developing heart disease.

The study suggested that plant-based diets could reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and body weight.

But how exactly does a plant-based diet benefit the heart? First, plant-based diets are typically low in saturated fats and cholesterol, which are found in high amounts in animal products.

Saturated fats and cholesterol can lead to the build-up of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This build-up can narrow the arteries and restrict blood flow to the heart, leading to heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

Plant-based diets are also rich in fiber, which is important for heart health. Fiber helps reduce cholesterol levels by binding to cholesterol in the digestive system and removing it from the body.A diet high in fiber can lower the “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase the “good” HDL cholesterol, which helps protect against heart disease.In addition, plant-based diets are packed with antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.Antioxidants, found in fruits and vegetables, can help reduce inflammation in the body, another risk factor for heart disease. By reducing inflammation, antioxidants help […]

How to manage heart disease with plant-based diets