New Delhi, Feb 25 (IANS) A recent study published in the journal BMC Nutrition has highlighted the benefits of a flexitarian diet in reducing cardiovascular risk compared to an omnivorous diet. The study involved 94 participants who followed either a vegan, omnivorous, or flexitarian diet for at least a year.
The study aimed to investigate the effects of a flexitarian diet on heart health, with participants between the ages of 25 and 45 involved in the research. Questionnaires were used to assess the dietary habits and lifestyle factors of the participants.
Participants consuming less than 50 grams of meat per day were classified as flexitarians, while those consuming 170 grams or more of meat were categorised as omnivores. Vegans, who avoided animal products altogether, constituted the third group in the study.
Blood samples collected from the participants on the day of the study showed that both flexitarians and vegans exhibited better cardiovascular health than omnivores. They had lower levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, indicating a lower risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Additionally, vegans showed lower fasting insulin levels compared to omnivores and flexitarians. However, the difference lost significance when adjusted for cofounders by the researchers.
Flexitarians and vegans also had lower metabolic syndrome severity scores, a composite measure of various cardiovascular risk factors such as blood glucose levels, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and weight.
The study suggests that adopting a flexitarian diet, emphasizing plant-based foods with limited meat consumption, can have significant benefits for cardiovascular health compared to an omnivorous diet.
