Plant-Based Eating: Potential Risk of Heart Attack Soars by 65% due to Poor Choices
Going plant-based might seem like a no-brainer for heart health, but a new study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that's not always the case. You see, it's not just about ditching steak and burgers for kale and tofu. A diet high in plant-based junk food can be just as harmful to your ticker as a greasy burger.
The experts looked at three cardiac biomarkers, focusing on levels of a protein called cardiac troponin I, which is a sign of heart attack, as well as N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, a marker of heart failure.
The study involved 7,708 participants with no history of heart disease. They reported their 24-hour food intake, and blood samples were taken to measure the biomarkers. The researchers then classified each food according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPyramid Equivalents 2.0 database: healthy plant-based, unhealthy plant-based, or animal-based.
Now, sticking to a healthy plant-based diet was associated with a 49% lower likelihood of having elevated troponin I levels compared to those eating unhealthy plant-based foods. Scary stuff, right? But here's the catch. Those following an unhealthy plant-based diet were 65% more likely to have high troponin I levels!
So what makes a plant-based diet "unhealthy"? Well, it can include processed junk food, often high in sodium, saturated fats, and other nasty additives. Think fake meat substitutes, where coconut or palm oil is added for texture or flavor, both of which are high in saturated fat, potentially contributing to insulin resistance and heart disease risk.
Registered dietitian Michelle Routhenstein emphasizes that the rules of healthy eating apply to plant-based diets as well. Aim for foods low in saturated fat and sodium, with minimal additives and preservatives. Opt for whole food ingredients like beans, legumes, tofu, and tempeh instead of heavily processed junk.
"When it comes to heart health, it's not just about what you eat, but also how processed the food is," Morgan cautions. Be on the lookout for long ingredient lists, lots of additives, and natural flavorings. Stick to whole foods whenever possible.
It's worth noting that not all plant-based diets are created equal. Whole, minimally processed plant-based foods promote heart health, whereas processed plant-based meat substitutes might be just as harmful as animal-based meat due to their high sodium content and level of processing. So make smart choices and aim for a balanced, nutritious diet!
- Going plant-based for heart health doesn't guarantee benefits if the diet is high in plant-based junk food.
- The study from Johns Hopkins University focused on three cardiac biomarkers, including cardiac troponin I, a sign of heart attack.
- The study included 7,708 participants with no heart disease history, who reported their 24-hour food intake and had blood samples taken for biomarker measurement.
- Healthy plant-based diets were associated with a 49% lower likelihood of having elevated cardiac troponin I levels compared to unhealthy plant-based diets.
- Unhealthy plant-based diets were 65% more likely to have high troponin I levels, which is a concern for heart health.
- A register dietitian emphasizes the importance of low saturated fat and sodium in plant-based diets, with minimal additives and preservatives, and advises opting for whole food ingredients like beans, legumes, tofu, and tempeh.
- The experts warn that processed plant-based meat substitutes, high in sodium and unhealthy additives, might be just as harmful as animal-based meat for cardiovascular health and overall health-and-wellness, including fitness-and-exercise and disease prevention.
