HeartSmarts Part 2: Closer to Plant Based

According to the Physicians Committee on Responsible Medicine, cardiovascular disease is the  leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. Eating  habits and other lifestyle factors play a key role in determining the  risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that a low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with  regular exercise and a healthy overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay,  and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events.

Cardiovascular disease is the  leading cause of death in the United States and around the world. Eating  habits and other lifestyle factors play a key role in determining the  risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that a low-fat, plant-based diet, combined with  regular exercise and a healthy overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay,  and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events.

Plant-based diets benefit heart health because they contain no  dietary cholesterol, very little saturated fat, and abundant fiber.  Meat, cheese, and eggs, on the other hand, are packed with cholesterol  and saturated fat, which cause plaque buildup in the arteries,  eventually leading to heart disease.

A plant-based diet can also help improve several risk factors for heart disease:    

• High Blood Pressure: A plant-based diet, rich in potassium, improves blood pressure.
• High Cholesterol: Aim for high-fiber foods, which can help lower cholesterol.
• Atherosclerosis: Diets rich in saturated fat and cholesterol cause plaque buildup in the arteries, restricting blood flow.
• Inflammation: Plant-based diets help reduce inflammation, which can lead to heart disease and other conditions.