Good vs Bad Plant Foods and Heart Health
Unhealthy plant-based diet is associated with a higher cardiovascular disease risk in patients with prediabetes and diabetes: a large-scale population-based study
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Healthful plant diets didn’t reduce heart disease risk in people with diabetes—only in those with prediabetes.
Most studies assume plant-based diets help everyone with diabetes; this shows the benefit may be lost once full diabetes develops, making early dietary intervention critical.
Practical Takeaways
If you have prediabetes: Cut out sugary drinks and add one serving of whole grains daily (like oatmeal or quinoa).
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Healthful plant diets didn’t reduce heart disease risk in people with diabetes—only in those with prediabetes.
Most studies assume plant-based diets help everyone with diabetes; this shows the benefit may be lost once full diabetes develops, making early dietary intervention critical.
Practical Takeaways
If you have prediabetes: Cut out sugary drinks and add one serving of whole grains daily (like oatmeal or quinoa).
Publication
Journal
BMC Medicine
Year
2024
Authors
Zhuang Pan, Fenglei Wang, Jianxin Yao, Xiaohui Liu, Yin Li, Yang Ao, Hao Ye, Xuzhi Wan, Yu Zhang, J. Jiao
Related Content
Claims (5)
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.
In people with diabetes, high levels of a blood marker called cystatin C—which shows kidney stress—explain nearly half of why eating unhealthy plant foods raises heart disease risk, pointing to kidney health as a major link.
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.
For people with diabetes, not eating enough whole grains like brown rice, oats, and whole wheat explains about one-third of why eating unhealthy plant foods raises their risk of heart disease.
In people with prediabetes, drinking sugary sodas and juices explains about one-third of why eating unhealthy plant foods like white bread and candy raises heart disease risk.