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A new analysis of various studies including nearly 2,000 people concluded that, for people with high risk of heart disease, the best nutritional option is a vegetarian diet.

Despite major therapeutic advances, heart disease (HD) remains the leading cause of death and increased health care costs worldwide. 

In Latin America and the Caribbean, 28% of deaths are caused by HD, a range of conditions spanning from ischemic heart disease to stroke.

In the United States, a person dies from HD every 33 seconds.

This is in large part due to a lack of prevention campaigns that comprehensively address modifiable risk factors in people at risk, says the study. 

In fact, researchers found that the majority of United States residents who experienced a myocardial infarction had at least 1 risk factor for HD before the event. 

Poor diet is automatically associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from HD. 

The 2021 Dietary Guidance of the American Heart Association (AHA) emphasizes the importance of dietary patterns with plenty of minimally processed plant-based foods, fish and seafood, and low-fat dairy products.

Different types of vegetarian diets—which exclude meat and, sometimes, eggs and dairy products—are becoming more and more popular due to their benefits for health and the environment. 

Diabetes organizations recommend eating a well-balanced vegetarian diet based on ample evidence that supports its beneficial effects in preventing type 2 diabetes and some of its metabolic complications.

Thanks to the variety of products that make up these diets, there are ingredients for every palate.

This story was produced using content from original studies or reports, as well as other medical research and health and public health sources cited in links throughout the article.