A diet high in nutritionally healthy and unprocessed plant-based foods is associated with a 44% lower incidence of coronary heart disease and a 32% lower risk of overall cardiovascular disease in middle-aged adults.

Eating whole plants like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes causes fiber to bind bile acids in the gut, forcing the liver to pull more cholesterol from the blood to make new bile acids. This lowers bad cholesterol levels. The fiber also feeds good gut bacteria, which produce chemicals that reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function. Plants also contain natural compounds that neutralize harmful molecules in the blood, preventing damage to blood vessel walls. Together, these actions prevent plaque buildup in arteries and reduce heart disease risk.