United States: According to the new scientific papers about specific food consumption, it is found that it is beneficial to shift from animal protein to plant protein as the rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) decreases, remarked the experts.
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As the researchers point out, these reductions in risk are most probably due to a substitution of red and processed meats with plant proteins.
The researchers also noted that total per capita protein consumption and per capita plant protein increase offered greater protection for cardiovascular health.
Although the guidelines by the global agencies have not determined the right proportion of plant-derived protein and animal-derived protein and suggested a higher intake of plant protein, an ideal ratio of plant to animal protein has remained unknown.
What more has the researchers revealed?
According to Andrea Glenn, the lead author, and a visiting scientist in the Department of Nutrition stated, “The average American eats a 1:3 plant to animal protein ratio. Our findings suggest a ratio of at least 1:2 is much more effective in preventing CVD. For CHD prevention, a ratio of 1:1.3 or higher should come from plants,” hsph.harvard.edu reported.
The researchers analyzed the Standard American Diet and lifestyle data on nearly 203,000 men and women enrolled and then followed up for 30 years.
Their dietary details were collected through questionnaires, and they provided the same details every four years.
The researchers obtained the total protein for each participant per day in grams and their sources of animal and plant protein.
During the study period, more than 10 thousand cases of CHD, more than 6 thousand cases of stroke, and 16 thousand and 118 cases of CVD in total, hsph.harvard.edu reported.
In other words, after adjusting the participants’ health history and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, those with a higher ratio of plant to animal protein had significantly lower risks for both CVD and CHD.
In comparison, the participants who consumed the lowest plant-to-animal protein ratio was (~1:4.2), while those who intake the highest (~1:1.3) had a 19% lower risk of CVD and a 27 percent lower risk of CHD.
Of these overall risk reductions, moreover, those who consumed more protein in their diets enjoyed even greater risk receptions.