Eating mostly plants doesn't seem to hurt your brain, muscles, or metabolism — even though you get less of certain nutrients — and it's actually linked to a lower chance of heart disease, diabetes,...

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.

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.

Eating only plants might make it harder to get enough of certain important nutrients like B12, iron, calcium, and omega-3s, so you might need to plan your meals carefully or take supplements.

Not all plant foods are the same for your heart—eating things like whole grains and nuts may help lower your risk of heart disease, but eating sugary drinks and white bread might raise it.

Eating mostly plants like vegetables, fruits, and beans can help people who are at risk for heart disease or already have it lose weight and shrink their waistline, which might make their heart health better.