People with prediabetes or diabetes who eat a lot of white bread, soda, and candy have a higher chance of having a heart attack or stroke than those who avoid these foods—even if they don’t eat meat.

People with prediabetes who eat more healthy plant foods like whole grains, beans, and veggies have a lower chance of having a heart attack or stroke than those who eat fewer of these foods.

People who eat more healthy plant foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, and veggies—instead of processed stuff—tend to have a 25% lower chance of getting heart disease, especially if they’re health professionals in the U.S.

People in Greece who eat lots of healthy plant foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables over 10 years are much less likely to get heart disease than those who eat very little of these foods.

People who eat lots of healthy plant foods like whole grains, fruits, nuts, and veggies over a long time have a 25% lower chance of getting heart disease than those who don’t eat as many of these foods—so what you eat within a plant-based diet really matters for your heart.

If you eat a lot of plant-based foods like white bread, soda, fries, and candy instead of healthy plants like vegetables and whole grains, you might be more likely to get heart disease—even if you don’t eat any meat. It’s not just about avoiding animal products; what kind of plants you eat matters.