A semi-vegetarian diet protects against cardiovascular disease. The latest evidence on the relationship between nutrition and health show that following a diet in which 70 percent of the food consumed comes from plant sources can reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 20 percent, compared with those who eat less than 45 percent plant-based foods.
Confirmation of the beneficial role played by a ‘reducetarian’ diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, is the result of a study conducted by Imperial College London and presented at the American Hearth Association meeting. The figure rests on a very large sample: the more than 450,000 European citizens who participated in the Epic project, which began in 1992. Scientists monitored until 2004 the weight, diet and lifestyle of the participants, who were initially healthy and aged between 35 and 70.
Therefore, to improve well-being and prevent cardiovascular disease, it is useful to limit the consumption of meats and meat products, always choosing those of better quality, and to increase the intake of fruits and vegetables, precious fruits of the earth capable of ensuring beneficial effects.
