Scientists have found that eating vegetables does not help prevent heart disease

Researchers from Oxford studied heart problems in 400,000 Britons for 12 years and found that eating a lot of vegetables does not reduce the risk of diseases of this organ. This is reported by the Daily Mail.

During this period, 18,000 out of 400,000 respondents were diagnosed with serious heart disease, including previous strokes and heart attacks. Patients were asked how many vegetables they ate each day, and this figure was compared with the incidence of heart disease.

Overall, the group that ate the most raw vegetables was 15% less likely to suffer from heart disease than those who ate few or infrequent vegetables. Moreover, the results did not depend on whether the vegetables were raw or thermally processed.

The study found that eating large amounts of foods such as broccoli, carrots, or peas “did not have a protective effect on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.” A report published in the journal Frontiers of Nutrition highlights that any link between nutrition and heart health is primarily due to the fact that those who eat plenty of vegetables tend to be more mindful of their overall health. “A lot” in the study meant five heaping tablespoons a day.

However, study co-author, Dr. Ben Lacey, noted that a balanced diet and maintaining a normal weight remain an important part of promoting health and reducing the risk of serious diseases, including some types of cancer.