Vegetarian Men at Reduced Risk for Heart Disease
Vegetarian men weigh less and have less cardiovascular disease risk,
compared with nonvegetarians, according to a new study in Nutrition and
Metabolism. Researchers in China compared 171 vegetarians to 129
age-matched nonvegetarians and found that the vegetarian men's weight,
blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels were lower,
compared with the meat-eaters. The vegetarians' arterial walls were
healthier, as well.
Researchers have known for years that Westerners adopting a
vegetarian or vegan diet are healthier than meat-eaters. This new study
shows that, even within a country where rice and other plant foods are
staples, those who avoid meat completely are better off than those who
include even modest amounts of meat.
Yang SY, Zhang HJ, Sun SY, et al.
Relationship of carotid intima-media thickness and duration of
vegetarian diet in Chinese male vegetarians. Nutr Metab. 2011;8:63.
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