removal diet Not only for the environment (due to the emissions caused by this industry), it also improves health. of the population. A review of some 30 clinical studies found that people who have adopted vegetarianism or veganism in their lives. up to 14% less cholesterol and fat in the bloodcompared to those who maintain an omnivorous diet.
This is one of the main conclusions from a systematic macro review of articles published over the past 40 years on the impact of these diets on the health of the population. Those who signed this study published in the journal, European Heart Journal, They insist on the public health significance of these results, as they emphasize that such a diet may be key for patients prone to arterial occlusions. thereby reducing the risk of brain or cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.
Study based on analysis of 30 randomized studies (published between 1982 and 2022) A total of 2,372 participants attended. These studies were conducted to measure the effect of these diets on levels of all types of cholesterol (total cholesterol), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol known as ‘bad’ cholesterol), triglycerides (a) compared to other omnivorous diets. type of fat found in the blood or ‘lipid’) and apolyprotein B (apoB, a protein that helps transport fat and cholesterol in the blood).
Participants in all 30 studies had to either follow a vegetarian or vegan diet or continue an omnivorous diet (including meat and dairy products). The duration of the diets ranges from ten days to five years, with an average of 29 weeks.
Reducing the risk of disease
“Vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with a 14% reduction in all lipoproteins that clog arteries,” says Ruth Frikke-Schmidt, MD, doctor at Copenhagen Hospital in Denmark. This means that the effect of a vegetarian diet is like taking a third of cholesterol-lowering drugs. “Within five years, you can reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 7%.” insists. Additionally, although diet may be less effective than a drug, a combination of both is likely to improve the end result.
Compared to people who follow an omnivorous diet, those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet also 10% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and 14% reduction in total cholesterol levels. For the researcher, these results demonstrate the great health potential of this type of diet. “If people start consuming them from an early age, the risk of cardiovascular disease can be significantly reduced,” he emphasizes.
The results found were similar across all continents, ages, and different body mass index ranges. and among people of different health conditions. “We observed significant effects of vegetarian and vegan diets and people ranging from normal weight to obese,” the doctor insists.
This meta-analysis does not consider the potential benefits of fish (known as pescetarian) diets over omnivores because supporting studies are lacking. However, researchers suspect that it is precisely this combination that makes the Mediterranean diet one of the best in the world for good cardiovascular health: “The Mediterranean diet is rich in plant-based foods and fish, and has been well proven useful in dietary guidelines,” she says. Frikke-Schmidt.
greenhouse gas reduction
These results are not trivial because More than 18 million people worldwide die from various cardiovascular diseases. (CVD) is the main cause of death every year. Vegetarian nutrition can be a boost to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Particularly regarding the reduction of premature deaths by one-third from non-communicable diseases such as CVD. But also when it comes to protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“If populations in high-income countries switch to plant-based diets, greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by 35% to 49%”, recalls the researcher, who also linked vegetarianism with the cost of the health system.
“Populations around the world are aging and as a result, Increasing cost of treating age-related diseases such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease“, says.
Therefore, he sees a vegetarian diet as an important tool for shifting food production to more environmentally sustainable ways while at the same time reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease. “We should eat a varied diet rich in plants, not too much, and quench our thirst with water,” the doctor concludes.
Reference work: https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad211
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