People who eat mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and nuts tend to have lower levels of the 'bad' cholesterol in their blood, probably because these foods are full of fiber, antioxidants, and good fats.

Eating mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains can help lower bad fats in your blood, which might keep your heart healthier and reduce your risk of heart disease.

If you swap meat and dairy proteins for beans, nuts, and grains in your diet, your good cholesterol (HDL) and fat levels (triglycerides) won’t change much—so the health perks of eating more plants probably come from lowering your bad cholesterol instead.

People who eat mostly plants tend to have better blood sugar control after meals, lower bad cholesterol, less inflammation, and less fat in their liver compared to those who eat more animal products.

A predominantly plant-based dietary pattern incorporating lean animal proteins provides adequate protein, essential fatty acids, micronutrients, and dietary fiber, while conferring metabolic benefits comparable to low-carbohydrate diets without elevating LDL cholesterol or increasing cardiovascular risk.

Eating more healthy plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and beans is linked to a lower risk of heart disease—even when you account for common health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol. This suggests these foods protect your heart in ways that go beyond just fixing those common issues.