Plant-Based Diets Lower Risk for Heart Failure

Plant-based diets lower risk for developing heart failure, according to data presented at this year’s American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in Anaheim, California. Researchers compared five different diets among 15,569 participants without previously diagnosed heart disease or heart failure from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study and tracked heart failure incidence rates. Those who followed a plant-based diet that included dark, leafy green vegetables, beans, and whole grains and excluded processed meats lowered their risk for heart failure by 42 percent. Other diets analyzed included red meat, saturated fats, eggs, and sugar-sweetened beverages.