Vegetarian diets are not equally healthy, according to research presented today at ESC Congress 2020.
“Our study highlights the variable nutritional value of plant foods,” said lead author Dr Mattina Kouvari of Harkopio University in Athens, Greece. “This result was more pronounced in women. Previous studies have shown that women tend to eat more plant-based foods and less animal-based products than men. But our study suggests that this does not guarantee healthier food choices and better health outcomes.” either.”
Most dietary studies define plant-based diets simply as “vegetarian” or “low-meat,” thereby treating all plant foods as equal. The unique aspect of this study was that it examined patterns of plant-based food intake in addition to overall amounts. Healthy plant-based products were mainly the least processed foods, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, and tea/coffee. Unhealthy plant-based products include juices, sugary drinks, refined grains, potatoes, and any kind of sweets (such as chocolate, traditional Greek desserts, etc.).
The study examined the association between quantity and quality of plant-based foods and heart health over a 10-year period.
In 2001 and 2002, the ATTICA study randomly selected a sample of adults living in Athens who did not have cardiovascular disease or other chronic conditions. The current analysis was conducted in 146 obese participants with normal blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Diet was assessed using a questionnaire about usual habits in the previous year. It lists 156 foods and drinks commonly consumed in Greece, with photographs to help determine portion sizes.
Within a decade, nearly half of these obese participants had developed high blood pressure, high blood lipids and high blood sugar — a combination that is particularly risky for heart disease.
Men who consumed a more plant-based diet were less likely to have this decline in health status. A trend was also observed in women, but it did not reach statistical significance.
Regarding plant-based diet quality, healthy choices were associated with maintaining normal blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar. Conversely, consumption of an unhealthy plant-based diet was associated with the development of high blood pressure, high blood lipids, and high blood sugar. These relationships were stronger in women than in men.
Dr Kouvari says: “Eating less meat is beneficial for heart health, especially when it is replaced with nutritious plant foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and olive oil.”
He noted that the analysis was conducted in obese individuals and the results should not be extrapolated to other weight categories.