April 8, 2015 Sophie Langley

Semi-veggie diet effectively lowers heart disease, stroke risk, study

A pro-vegetarian dietone that has a higher proportion of plant-based foods compared to animal-based foodshas been linked to lower risks of dying from heart disease and stroke, according to new research presented at the American Heart Association EPI/Lifestyle 2015 meeting.

In an observational study, researchers from Imperial College Londons School of Public Health analysed the eating and lifestyle habits of 451,256 Europeans. People who ate the most pro-vegetarian style diets (70 per cent of food coming from plant sources) had a 20 per cent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who were the least pro-vegetarian (<45 per cent).

A pro-vegetarian diet doesnt make absolute recommendations about specific nutrients. It focuses on increasing the proportion of plant based foods relative to animal-based foods, which results in an improved nutritionally balance diet, said Camille Lassale, Ph.D., lead author and an epidemiologist at Imperial College Londons School of Public Health.

Study method

Participants were part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study, started in 1992. The study included nearly half a million people from 10 countries who were free of chronic diseases at the start of the study, between 35 and 70 years of age. The study followed the participants for an average of 12 years.

Information was collected on their height, weight, food consumption by self-reported food frequency questionnaires, lifestyle and physical activity habits. Causes, and dates of death were obtained from record linkages with boards of health, and active follow-up of participants.

Researchers scored participants based on the types of foods they ate. Points were given for eating foods from seven plant food groups: vegetables, fruit, beans, cereals, potatoes, nuts, and olive oil. Points were subtracted for five animal food groups: meats, animal fats, eggs, fish, and other seafood or dairy products.

Based on their scores, participants were categorised from the least pro-vegetarian to the most. The results were adjusted for age at the start of the study, gender, daily calories, body mass index, smoking status, physical activity, education, alcohol intake and study center.

Here is the original post:
Semi-veggie diet effectively lowers heart disease, stroke risk, study