In a new study, scientists have discovered a unique kind of diet that improves heart efficiency.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Scientists at Stanford Medicine conducted a study focusing on how a vegan diet affects heart health, using identical twins for a unique perspective.
- The study revealed that a vegan diet, which includes plant-based foods like fruits, veggies, grains, nuts and seeds, offers various health benefits. It is associated with improved heart health, weight management, reduced cancer risk and a lower likelihood of type 2 diabetes.
- The researchers used a twin study, comparing identical twins with one following a vegan diet and the other maintaining a regular diet. This approach helped control for genetic differences and external factors.
- Participants following the vegan diet showed significant improvements, including lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL-C), reduced fasting insulin levels and weight loss. These outcomes align with existing research supporting the cardiovascular advantages of plant-based diets.
- Dr. Christopher Gardner, the lead scientist suggested that even incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet, without going fully vegan, could make a significant positive impact on long-term health. The study emphasizes the potential benefits of a plant-based diet for heart health and overall well-being.
So, scientists at Stanford Medicine recently did an interesting study on how a vegan diet can be super healthy for your heart.
They didn’t just do the usual research, they looked at identical twins to see how being vegan for eight weeks affects their hearts compared to those who eat both plant and animal stuff.
First off, a vegan diet means you only eat plant-based things like fruits, veggies, grains, nuts and seeds. It’s like a balanced diet that gives you all the good stuff your body needs.
And guess what? It’s awesome for your heart, helps you manage weight, lowers the risk of cancer and makes type 2 diabetes less likely. Pretty cool, right?
They used a twin study, which is like a way of looking at how genes and lifestyle affect people.
The lead scientist, Dr. Christopher Gardner, thought it was extra fun working with twins because they have this great connection, dressing the same and having their own secret language.
For the study, they got 44 people from the Stanford Twin Registry, and each set of twins had one going vegan and the other staying with their regular diet.
Both groups had to eat healthy stuff like veggies, legumes, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
For the first four weeks, they got their meals delivered, and for the next four, they had to cook for themselves.
They were checking this thing called low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), which is like the “bad” cholesterol. If it’s too high, it can cause heart problems.
Guess what they found?
The ones going vegan had lower “bad” cholesterol, less insulin in their blood and lost some weight compared to the other group. This lines up with other studies saying plant-based diets are great for your heart.
Apart from heart stuff, the people going vegan had a 20% drop in fasting insulin, which is good and they lost around 4.2 pounds or almost 2 kilograms on average.
Dr. Gardner thinks even just eating more plant-based foods, not necessarily going full vegan, can make a big difference in staying healthy for a long time.
Plus, it might make your gut bacteria happier and slow down aging.
Ways Veganism Improves Overall Health
Recently, veganism has been getting a lot of attention because it seems to be really good for your health. This lifestyle is all about eating plant-based stuff, and it’s got some cool ways to keep you healthy.
Heart Health Boost – Going vegan means you eat lots of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. It’s like a super diet for your heart. Studies show it can lower “bad” cholesterol and make your heart healthier.
All the good stuff like antioxidants and fiber in plant foods helps your blood flow better, making your heart’s job easier.
It might also keep your blood pressure in check, making your overall heart health awesome.
Weight Management – If you go vegan, you might find it easier to keep a healthy weight. The plant foods with lots of fiber keep you feeling full, making it simpler to stay in shape.
Plus, these foods help your body burn calories well. Since plant-based stuff is packed with essential nutrients without extra calories, it’s like having a balanced diet that keeps your weight in check.
Reduced Cancer Risk – Plant-based diets are like a shield against some types of cancer. The good stuff in fruits and veggies, like antioxidants helps your cells stay healthy and might stop cancer from forming.
By saying no to processed meats and other bad stuff, you are lowering the chance of getting cancer. The anti-inflammatory things in plant foods also help your body fight off anything that could turn into cancer.
Type 2 Diabetes Prevention – Going vegan can be power against type 2 diabetes. Eating whole plant foods helps your body deal with insulin, a big player in preventing diabetes.
By skipping animal products, you are cutting down on fats that mess with insulin. Also, the high fiber in plant foods helps control your blood sugar levels. It gives you stable energy and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
Improved Digestive Health – Vegan diets are like a bro for your digestive system. The fiber in plant foods keeps things moving smoothly and makes your gut bacteria happy.
More fiber means your gut gets a mix of good bacteria, helping digestion and nutrient absorption. So, no more tummy troubles like constipation or bloating, just an all-around good feeling in your belly.
Also, going vegan might boost your energy levels big time. All the good stuff like vitamins and minerals from plants makes you feel more alive and well.
No more processed foods dragging you down, plant-based diets keep your energy steady throughout the day. And hey, better sleep quality is a bonus, giving you even more energy and making your days awesome.
Anti-Aging Benefits – Veganism could be the secret to staying young. Eating nutrient-packed foods and skipping processed stuff helps your skin stay healthy and slows down aging.
Antioxidants in plant foods protect your skin, keeping it elastic and promoting collagen. Also, hydration and vitamins from plants give you that natural, youthful glow.
So, going vegan isn’t just good inside, it’s like a magic potion for looking and feeling younger. It’s a win-win for being healthy inside and out.
More so, the above study published in a fancy journal called JAMA Network Open, basically says that going vegan or at least more plant-based is a smart move for your heart and overall health.
So, if you are thinking about trying out more veggies and less meat, this study says it’s a pretty rad idea.