Health Benefits of a Plant-Centered Diet (Men).

A study of almost 45,000 men suggests that a plant-based diet can help reduce the risk of heart disease in men. The participants were questioned about their eating habits in 1986 and were studied for the next 8 years to see which men developed heart disease. Two major patterns were seen in the men's reported eating habits. One group ate more fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry, while the other group ate more red meat, processed meat, refilled grains, sweets, French fries, and high-fat dairy products. Over the 8 years, 730 men had nonfatal heart attacks and 359 men died from heart disease. Men in the group eating more fruits and vegetables had a markedly lower risk of developing heart disease or of dying from a heart attack than did the men eating the fatty, more typical American diet.

The authors state, "This study provided strong evidence that a diet high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry, and low in red meat, processed meat, high-fat dairy products, and refined grains may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease." Of course, vegetarians will wonder whether a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, without meat, fish, or poultry, might be more beneficial. This study did not examine that question. It did point out a benefit of a diet containing many plant foods. The authors noted that other studies suggest that a more plant-based pattern of eating is also associated with a lower risk of developing colon cancer and a lower total mortality.

Hu FB, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, et al. 2000. Prospective study of major dietary patterns and risk of coronary heart disease in men. Am J Clin Nutr 72:912-921.