Plant-based diets are often seen as heart healthy, but new research suggests that many versions may offer little benefit — and some may even raise heart risk. The study found that only diets built mostly from whole, minimally processed plant foods showed clear heart protection, a standard many people do not meet.
Researchers followed more than 60,000 adults for nearly 10 years. They found that people who ate a lot of ultra-processed plant foods had a higher risk of heart disease. These foods included sweetened drinks, refined grains, packaged snacks and ready-made meals. Even though they were plant-based, they were linked to worse heart outcomes.
The findings suggest that simply cutting out animal foods is not enough to protect the heart. How food is processed matters more than whether it comes from plants or animals. Experts say focusing on whole foods — such as vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and whole grains — is far more important than following a plant-based label alone.
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