Benefits of a Plant Based Diet for the Heart

Sorry to ring the alarms, but we have to. The epidemic of heart disease is on the rise, so much so that one in four deaths in the US is caused by this illness. It's alarming how 655,000 Americans die from this ‘silent killer’ each year—that's one person dying every 36 seconds, according to CDC.gov. And we don’t even realize it’s happening in our bodies before it’s too late, because heart disease develops over time through our food and lifestyle.

Unhealthy food may be already deeply ingrained in the American diet, and we know it’s hard to resist its allure. But believe when we say that there’s a way to save your heart from clogging and to keep yourself alive, healthy, and beating. And that’s by switching to a healthier diet. One way to do so is through plant-based food.

A nutritionally balanced vegetarian diet can help you protect your heart. Learn how a plant-based diet can help strengthen your heart health.

Free of cholesterol: Most processed foods are full of animal products, whether it be meats, eggs, cheeses or others. These products are all lipids which are effectively converted to cholesterol after getting into the body.

This means that a plant-based diet is a perfect diet for people with high cholesterol, or for anyone looking to keep their cholesterol in check. Some of my favourite high-cholesterol busting plants are avocados, almonds, and blueberries.

Low in saturated fat: A plant-based diet is low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. This diet serves as a more effective way to get vitamins, minerals and plant derived protective compounds. These compounds contribute to a reduction of the risk factors of heart disease.

High in fiber: Fiber-rich foods include whole grains, fruits such as prunes and berries, and vegetables such as broccoli and okra. These foods add bulk to your diet and help slow digestion. When eating a fiber-rich diet, less saturated fat enters the bloodstream while total cholesterol drops.

Getting Started on Eating Healthy

Many people will tell you that eating healthy can be expensive and difficult to maintain. Instead of looking at eating healthy vegan dishes as a burden, I look at it as an opportunity. By having the right mindset and actions you can save time and money, all while eating healthy. 

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