In Korean men over 40 who are overweight or have a big waistline, eating more unhealthy plant-based foods like sugary snacks and refined carbs is linked to a much higher chance of having a heart attack or heart disease in the next 10 years.

For Korean men over 40, eating a lot of unhealthy plant foods like sugary snacks and refined carbs doesn’t seem to raise heart disease risk for most people—but if you’re overweight or have a big belly, it might actually hurt your heart.

Men in Korea who eat more healthy plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains have a 20% lower chance of having a heart attack or heart disease in the next 10 years, compared to those who eat less of these foods.

If Korean men over 40 who are already active eat more plant-based foods and less animal-based ones, their chance of having a heart problem in the next 10 years is predicted to be 26% lower.

People in Korea who eat more healthy plant-based foods like vegetables, beans, and whole grains tend to have lower bad cholesterol levels, which might be why they’re less likely to have heart problems.

People who eat lots of plants like fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains, don’t smoke, stay active, and get just the right amount of sleep are 22% less likely to get heart disease, especially if they stick to this lifestyle really well.