Plant-based diet reduces risk of heart disease in women. (Scientific update: a review of recent scientific papers related to vegetarianism).

Traditionally, studies of diet and disease have looked at single foods or nutrients and asked questions such as, "Will eating more red meat cause heart disease?" or, "Can a diet high in vitamin A reduce the risk of lung cancer?" Perhaps it is more realistic to look at the total diet, since it may be the interaction of foods consumed together that is important in reducing risk of chronic disease. A recent study examined more than 69,000 women's diets and their incidences of heart disease. Two major dietary patterns were identified. One: the prudent pattern featured higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish and poultry. The other pattern, the so-called "Western" pattern, was high in red and processed meat, sweets, desserts, fried foods, and refined grains. The women were studied for 12 years. Women whose diets were high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, and poultry were much less likely to develop heart disease than the women who ate a "Western" diet. The authors state, "This study indicates that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, poultry, and fish, and low in red and processed meats and refined grain products may lower risk of coronary heart disease in women." Of course, vegetarians will ask whether a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes without meat, fish, or poultry might be more beneficial. Although this study did not examine that question, it did point out a benefit of a diet containing many plant foods.

Fung TT, Willett WC, Stampfer MJ, et al. 2001. Dietary patterns and the risk of coronary heart disease in women. Arch Intern Med 161:1857-1862.