British researchers have demonstrated that vegetarian diet can have beneficial effect on the heart health and significantly reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The study conducted in the University of Oxford revealed that the people with vegetarian diet had healthier hearts than those who were non-vegetarians.
Analysis of 45,000 volunteers from England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of serious heart diseases.
"The results clearly show that the risk of heart disease in vegetarians is about a third lower than in comparable non-vegetarians," said the study co-author and university professor Tim Key.
According to the paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers concluded the study while the factors such as age, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, educational level and socioeconomic background were taken into account.
"Most of the difference in risk is probably caused by effects on cholesterol and blood pressure, and shows the important role of diet in the prevention of heart disease," said the lead author Francesca Crowe.
The team found that vegetarians had lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body mass indices than people who ate meat and fish.
The study also suggests that diet is an important determinant of heart health, Crowe said.
"Vegetarians probably have a lower intake of saturated fat so it makes senses there is a lower risk of heart disease," he added.
The study conducted in the University of Oxford revealed that the people with vegetarian diet had healthier hearts than those who were non-vegetarians.
Analysis of 45,000 volunteers from England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of serious heart diseases.
"The results clearly show that the risk of heart disease in vegetarians is about a third lower than in comparable non-vegetarians," said the study co-author and university professor Tim Key.
According to the paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the researchers concluded the study while the factors such as age, smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, educational level and socioeconomic background were taken into account.
"Most of the difference in risk is probably caused by effects on cholesterol and blood pressure, and shows the important role of diet in the prevention of heart disease," said the lead author Francesca Crowe.
The team found that vegetarians had lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and body mass indices than people who ate meat and fish.
The study also suggests that diet is an important determinant of heart health, Crowe said.
"Vegetarians probably have a lower intake of saturated fat so it makes senses there is a lower risk of heart disease," he added.
Source : Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), International Service
