A plant-based diet could be the keyLowering the risk of heart diseasebe. Researchers found that diets reduced in sulfur-containing amino acids, which are found in protein-rich foods such as meat, dairy, nuts and soy, are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The team also found that the average consumer consumes almost two and a half times more sulfur of this type than the estimated average requirement.
Plant-based diet for better heart health
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. A subcategory called sulfur-containing amino acids, including methionine and cysteine, play various roles in metabolism and health.
“It has been known for decades that diets restricting sulfur-containing amino acids are beneficial for animal longevity.” John Richie, a professor of public health sciences at Penn State College of Medicine, said. “This study provides the first epidemiological evidence that dietary acidification is linked to chronic disease progression in humans.”
The following options were available to each participating person weighing 65 kilos for the selection of foods for a day that meet the requirements: The menu can consist of a medium slice of bread, half an avocado, an egg, half a cup of raw cabbage , six cherry tomatoes, 100 g chicken breast, a cup of brown rice, three quarters of a cup of zucchini, three tablespoons of butter, a cup of spinach, a medium apple, a pizza with a diameter of 20 cm and a tablespoon of almonds.
Nutritionists collected information about participants' plant-based diets through personal 24-hour recalls. Nutrient intakes were then calculated using the U.S. Department of Agriculture database. After accounting for body weight, the researchers found that the average intake of sulfur-containing amino acids was almost two and a half times higher than the estimated average requirement. Xiang Gao is a professor and director of the Laboratory of Nutritional Epidemiology at Penn State University and co-author of the published study. He suggested this could be due to trends in the average person's diet.
Low protein intake
Meat and other protein-rich foods generally have higher levels of sulfur-containing amino acids. This is what Zhen Dong, the lead author of the study, said. “People whoeat more plant-based foods, consume lower amounts of sulfur and amino acids. These results support some of the beneficial health effects in the observed subjects. They followed other plant-based diets or were vegan.”
This study only examined the risk factors for dietary intake and cardiac disease at a specific point in time. The association between increased intake of sulfur-containing amino acids and the risk of cardiovascular disease was strong. Dong added that the data supports the formation of a prospective, longitudinal study. In this, nutritionists evaluate the intake of such amino acids and health outcomes over time.
