Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, 18 million Number of deaths each year. Lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and physical activity reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.

According to research, that Omnivorous diets high in meat and processed meat are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease than plant-based diets. However, there is limited scientific evidence as to whether a flexitarian diet, which limits intake of animal protein, provides the same cardiovascular health benefits as a vegetarian diet.

In this study, researchers categorized participants into vegans, flexitarians, and omnivores based on self-reported daily meat intake to assess differences in cardiovascular health.

The study consisted of 94 participants aged 25 to 45 who had adhered to a vegan, omnivore, or flexitarian diet for at least one year prior to the study. The researchers used a questionnaire to assess participants’ eating habits and lifestyle factors.

Those who consumed less than 50 g of meat per day were classified as flexitarians, and those who consumed more than 170 g of meat per day were classified as omnivores. The third group consisted of vegans who completely avoided animal products.

Blood samples were collected from participants on the day of the study to assess cardiovascular disease biomarkers. Additionally, the researchers also measured participants’ blood pressure, body mass index, and artery stiffness during the visit.

Reduce meat and lower cholesterol

Assessment of blood biomarkers suggested that flexitarians and vegans had better cardiovascular health than omnivores. Specifically, flexitarians and vegans showed lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than omnivores. Vegans also showed lower fasting insulin levels than omnivores and flexitarians, but that difference lost significance when the researchers adjusted for co-founder.

Additionally, flexitarians and vegans had lower metabolic syndrome severity scores, a composite measure of several cardiovascular risk factors, including blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight.

Research shows that when arterial stiffness increases, related With cardiovascular disease. The study found that flexitarians had lower arteriosclerosis than vegans and omnivores.

A comparison of the participants’ diets revealed that omnivores ate more meat, as well as sweets, alcohol and dairy products, than vegans and flexitarians. In contrast, vegans and flexitarians consumed more fruits, vegetables, and nuts/seeds than omnivores.

Sugar can negatively impact heart health

The researchers then evaluated the association between different food groups and cardiovascular risk.

Consumption of sweets, soft drinks, dairy products, and meat was associated with blood biomarkers of cardiovascular risk, including low-density lipoprotein and total cholesterol.

“One interesting finding is the association between LDL cholesterol, soft drinks, and sweets. Meats and saturated fats are usually targets for LDL cholesterol, but sugar and high-glycemic foods play a role here as well. You can see that it’s possible.”
“Malone”

One of the strengths of this study is that it examined the association between diet and cardiovascular risk after adjusting for variables such as total activity level and BMI.

Megan Hilbert, registered dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching, said: “This was a well-controlled study (controlled for variables such as age, BMI, health status and smoking status), so it was difficult to analyze dietary quality. “I was able to do it,” he said. You can more accurately understand the impact on your health status. ”

However, Hilbert pointed out that the study has some limitations.

“Due to the small sample size of 94 participants, these results cannot be generalized, so a larger study will need to be conducted to confirm these results,” she said.

“Future studies would be beneficial to assess other components of diet quality, such as fiber content and antioxidant/polyphenol intake. These factors may be associated with cardiovascular risk, intestinal health, “It’s been shown to have a positive impact on weight status, blood sugar restriction, etc. all of which have an impact on the health parameters being measured,” Hilbert added.

Malone noted that because the study was observational in design, these results do not establish a causal relationship.

“Dietary studies are notoriously difficult because there are multiple variables. For example, study participants who avoid meat also eat more beans. Where does the benefit come from? Less meat or more beans? It’s impossible to know, but it’s probably a combination of factors that interact to improve cardiovascular health parameters: increased fiber, increased phytonutrients, decreased saturated fat, nitrates, and gut health. and so on,” she says. she explained.

Claire Cohen, registered naturopathic nutritional therapist at Nat-Nut Nutritional Therapy, said the study will help people assess their current diet and see if it can further reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. He said it was possible.

“The results of this study have great potential to contribute to improved health outcomes by identifying dietary patterns associated with reduced risk of chronic disease. It helps you make informed choices,” she said.

Cohen also said it’s better to start a flexitarian diet than go completely vegan right away.

“People who want to take control of their health find a flexitarian eating style easier to maintain over the long term than a strict vegan diet. Nutrient deficiencies are less likely to occur. Vegan diets typically require supplementation with certain vitamins and minerals, which may not be as well absorbed and utilized by the body as their equivalents from whole foods. .”
– Claire Cohen