Getting your protein from plants may reduce risk of early death, study finds

There are lots of health benefits to following a largely plant-based diet and now a new study has found getting your protein from plants may help you live longer. The US study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found swapping out beef for say a chickpea pattie appears to reduce your overall risk of early death and developing heart disease.

For the study, the researchers look at the results of a survey to figure out the outcome of getting your protein from plants or animals. They found those who chose plants over animals ended up less likely to have issues with their hearts.

However, the researchers said the research cannot prove that cutting down on meat or going vegetarian will directly help your chances, but instead thinks that it should provide evidence to support public health recommendations leaning more for veggie-based protein.

It’s no secret that veganism is becoming more and more popular, with many people opting to follow a plant-based diet — a far cry from the meat and three veg dinners most Baby Boomers grew up with. Generally, plant-based eating emphasises real, whole foods that come from plants, with few or no animal products.

Adopting a plant-based diet not only benefits your waistline, but it can also improve your health. Some studies suggest that diets rich in vegetables and fruits may help slow or prevent cognitive decline in older adults.

Starts at 60 previously spoke to leading dietician Susie Burrell who said incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is always a good idea as it offers a number of health benefits including a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology earlier this year found switching from meat-heavy to plant-based foods reduced the amount of gut bacteria associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

A metabolite (a substance made when the body breaks down food) known as trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is created when bacteria in the gut digest nutrients found in animal products such as red meat — and it’s been linked to a greater risk for heart attacks and heart disease. Maintaining a vegan or vegetarian diet has been found to reduce the amount of TMAO produced in the body.

For the study, 760 women were asked to record their eating, exercise, and smoking habits and provided two blood samples 10 years apart. Those who developed coronary heart disease were found to have higher amounts of TMAO in their blood.