The Link Between Vegetarian Diets and Heart Health
The Link Between Vegetarian Diets and Heart Health Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for over 17 million deaths per year. Many studies have shown that following a vegetarian diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease and experiencing events like heart attacks. In this post, we'll explore the evidence behind the cardiovascular benefits of plant-based diets. Numerous large observational studies have found that vegetarians tend to have lower rates of heart disease compared to non-vegetarians. For example, in the EPIC-Oxford study, researchers followed over 44,000 British men and women for an average of 11 years. Vegetarians in the study had a 32% lower risk of developing heart disease than meat eaters. Several factors contribute to the heart-protective effects of plant-based diets. Vegetarians tend to have lower blood pressure levels compared to non-vegetarians. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart attacks and st