New study shows some plant-based diets may raise heart disease riskSummary: Researchers tracking over 63,000 adults found that high-quality, minimally processed plant foods significantly reduce cardiovascular risk. But when those plant foods are ultra-processed, the advantage disappears—and can even backfire. Some ultra-processed plant diets increased risk by 40%. The study urges a shift toward whole, naturally nutrient-rich plant foods. FULL STORY Not all plant-based diets improve heart health—only those built on minimally processed, nutrient-dense foods do. Ultra-processed plant products can erase the benefits and even increase cardiovascular risk. Credit: Shutterstock Previous studies have indicated that eating large amounts of ultra-processed foods[1] is linked with a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases. Other research[2] has found that diets centered on plant-based foods can lower this risk when those foods offer balanced nutrition and are consumed in appropriate proportions. To explore how nutrition relates to cardiovascular health in more detail, scientists from INRAE, Inserm, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, and Cnam examined more than whether foods came from plant or animal sources. Their assessment also incorporated the nutritional makeup of foods, including factors such as carbohydrate, fat, and antioxidant vitamin and mineral content, along with the level of industrial processing involved. How the Study Evaluated Diets and Food Choices The team evaluated data from 63,835 adults enrolled in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort. Participants were followed for an average of 9.1 years, with some tracked for as long as 15 years. Information on what they ate and drank (collected over at least three days) was gathered through online questionnaires. This detailed approach allowed researchers to classify diets based on the share of plant-based and animal-based foods, while also considering both nutritional quality and processing level. The findings showed that adults who consumed more plant-based foods of higher nutritional quality (lower in fat, sugar, and salt) and with minimal industrial processing had about a 40 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who ate fewer nutritious plant-based foods and more animal-based products[3]. However, people who ate larger amounts of plant-based foods that were nutritionally higher quality but ultra-processed, including items such as industrial whole meal breads, store-bought soups, ready-made pasta dishes, or commercially prepared salads with dressing, did not experience a reduced cardiovascular risk relative to individuals who consumed fewer of these products and more animal-based foods. Ultra-Processed Plant Foods and Increased Heart Disease Risk A notably higher risk emerged for adults whose diets were dominated by plant-based foods that were both lower in nutritional quality and ultra-processed. These items included crisps, sweetened fruit drinks or sodas made from plant extracts, chocolate-based sweets or confectionery, sugary breakfast cereals, and savory biscuits. Their cardiovascular disease risk was roughly 40 percent higher than that of people who consumed more plant-based foods of good nutritional quality with little or no industrial processing. Why Processing Level Matters for Plant-Based Eating Overall, the results show that understanding the relationship between diet and cardiovascular health requires considering the nutritional quality of foods and how heavily they are processed, in addition to the balance of plant-based and animal-based components. These findings support public health recommendations that encourage the consumption of plant-based foods that are both nutritionally high quality and minimally processed (such as fresh, frozen, or high-quality canned fruits and vegetables without added fats, salt, sugar, or additives). Notes [1], [2], and [3] can be read at the article source.... ARTICLE SOURCE: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251214100928.htm
I have been on a stretch as of late where my annual physical at work, my HAZMAT physical and my infusions leave me with bloodwork about every three months or so. It has given me some numbers to trend for health wise but are more interesting to me since Carnivore. I have the before carnivore numbers and then afterwards as well.
August January
Total 219 219
Tri 75 76
HDL 37 35
LDL 187 152
Nothing has really changed in the last three months. If I did the math on beef to other meats, I am probably a tad more beef than before. The egg count is up, and the total amount of intake is up. I sort of naturally fell into OMAD and then when the weight lost got into the 70's and 80's I eased into a big egg breakfast. Mostly for two reasons, I do feel better, but I am 'weaker' at the lesser weight and two, the lifting is getting a little more intense per session/pushing a little more.
I think it was a really significant shift in the LDL. This upcoming week will be 8 months. I'm on a semi-stall the last couple of weeks around 82-85lbs lost as it bounces daily (I'm one of the not so smart people that tip the scales most every day). Still no pills for pain nor inflammation from the NMO/SD stuff.
My first real cheat was by accident, but I was dumb enough to finish the bottle of Nestle Kwik. I used a lot of toilet paper of the next few days. I think my stomach/my body explained to my brain that I had made a bad decision, sort of like, " I can show you better than I can tell you" or the age old, "if you are gonna be dumb, you better learn to be tough". Either way, lesson learned.
My wife makes an incredible red sauce when we cook ribs/pork and it is great on chicken as well. I tasted it the other night and maybe since it has been awhile, or maybe the body was reminding the brain about the sugar, it was OK, not all that appealing like it has been for 25+ years.
Kinda sorta where I am at after 8 months. I think for the next little while it will be the constant adjustments of amounts throughout the day. Satiety wise I am good at OMAD but the weight is falling with that and at times I look a bit sickly. I need to eat more if I am off-setting the muscle loss with the auto-immune disease and the increases in lifting. I think I might be "one meal and a half per day" OMAHAD. (if copyright and royalties are applied I will forward my address)
Appreciate the group. Appreciate the information exchange.
Scott