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
Good morning, y'all. 🙂
I've been on the low carb/ultra low carb train before and have gotten good results in the past at bringing my blood sugar under control. Sooner or later I've fallen off the train. And been run over on the tracks. But here I am, back again. 🙄
Full disclosure: I will not be doing strictly 100% carnivore, but I came to this board because eating plenty of meat (and only a smidgen of dairy) is the foolproof way to bring my blood sugar down. And to lose weight. Those two things go hand in hand, although even if/when I lose 20-ish pounds, I will always have to watch carbs closely. (Mostly WATCH, as in stare longingly at without touching...).
I'll be 77 a week from today and it's now or never. (Hmmm...how many times have I said "It's now or never" in the past? I don't have enough fingers to total that up.) I live in a senior retirement community (totally independent living) where meals are provided, but I have a full kitchen and cook mostly for myself. I like to cook, but frankly, I'm not looking forward to beef, pork, chicken, eggs, bacon, etc., all the time and forever. Some video that I watched said that if hamburger or a pork chop or some meat thing doesn't appeal, then you aren't hungry enough. I think waiting until I am seriously hungry will help. I have been guilty of just grazing and looking for something to eat (even a low carb snack) out of boredom and idleness.
I became mesmerized by YouTube videos on the carnivore diet, especially the "steakandbuttergal." Is she for real? Watching her put several steaks and chickens into that slender figure is mind-blowing. I do believe she has straightened out her health with a carnivore diet. I also have skin problems and G.I. issues, not to mention the stuff that happens when you get...well... old.
For the last week I've eaten only meat and eggs, and my blood sugar has gone from almost 200 most of the time to under 120 most of the time. This exactly tallies with my experience with ultra low carb eating in the past. (I haven't done an a1c test, because that is not revealing for three months.)
People who say low-carb is fad or some kind of cult craze just need to get a glucometer and find out for themselves.
That's a little sketch. Hoping to find inspiration in this community, especially from others who live alone and plan their own meals.
Best,
Eve
Edited by Eve