A commonly held belief when it comes to eating a healthy diet is that increasing your intake of vegetables can lower your risk for heart disease. However, a latest study found that this may not be entirely true.

The study

The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, analyzed the dietary habits of over 400,000 people in nine different countries over a period of 16 years.

The participants reported their intake of fruits, vegetables, and legumes through a questionnaire, and the researchers tracked cardiovascular incidents over the years.

The study found no significant link between vegetable intake and lower risk of heart disease or stroke.

The researchers noted that although vegetables are undoubtedly healthy, other factors such as genetics, exercise, and smoking are likely to play a more important role in reducing cardiovascular risk.

What this means for our diet and health

This study challenges the belief that simply increasing our intake of vegetables can be a surefire way to reduce our risk of heart disease and stroke.

While vegetables are undeniably healthy and contain essential vitamins and nutrients necessary for our bodies to function, this study suggests that they may not be the magic bullet some have believed them to be.

It’s important to note that this study does not mean we should stop consuming vegetables altogether. They are still a valuable part of a healthy diet and should be consumed daily.

However, we should also be mindful of other factors that contribute to our cardiovascular health, such as reducing stress, getting enough exercise, and quitting smoking, to name a few.

What experts say

Dr. Alice Lichtenstein, a nutritionist at Tufts University in Boston, says that while the study is interesting, it shouldn’t change our dietary recommendations.

“We know from many other studies that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke,” she says. “That hasn’t changed.”.

Professor Tim Chico, a consultant cardiologist at the University of Sheffield, also agrees that the study shouldn’t change our current dietary guidelines.

“This study suggests that simply adding more vegetables to an unhealthy diet is unlikely to have much of an impact,” he says. “It does not mean that we should not eat vegetables as part of a healthy diet.”.

The bottom line

While this study challenges the belief that increased vegetable intake is the key to reducing cardiovascular risk, it’s important to remember that vegetables are still an essential part of a healthy diet.

We should continue to consume them daily, but also be aware of other factors that contribute to our cardiovascular health and incorporate them into our lifestyle.