Researchers have found evidence to emphasise the importance of a plant-based portfolio diet to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality across age groups.
Two new studies by researchers at Unity Health Toronto and the University of Toronto analysed the data across diverse groups of people.
What is a plant-based portfolio diet?
A portfolio diet is a way of eating that as per experts has proven to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. In this kind of diet, an individual can choose from an array of dietary patterns, that will help in lowering their cholesterol levels.
The first study analysed data from nearly 15,000 Americans and found that adherence to the Portfolio Diet was associated with a major reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease and all causes. The study analysed data of older adults and it is published in BMC Medicine journal.
The second study shifted their attention towards the younger population, mostly in their 20s using data from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health Study. Researchers mentioned that even in this age group, greater adherence to the Portfolio Diet was associated with lower LDL cholesterol and other cardiovascular risk factors, including total cholesterol and blood pressure.
Adhering to 50 per cent of the Portfolio Diet beginning in young adulthood may delay the rise in cardiovascular disease risk later in life by an estimated six years. Full adherence could delay it by up to 13 years, mentioned the study.
Nuts, plant-based proteins such as beans or tofu, viscous fibre sources from foods such as apples or oatmeal, foods rich in phytosterols and monounsaturated fatty acid – like enriched margarine or oils are some of examples of food in the plant-based portfolio diet.
