Vegetarian foods are not equally healthy according to a new research at ESC Congress 2020. Dr. Matina said, "This finding was more clear in women. A recent research has shown that women tend to eat more plant-based foods and less animal-based products than men. But our study suggests this does not ensure healthier food choices and in turn better health condition.
Most studies see plant-based diets simply as "vegetarian" or "low in meat", thus treating all plant foods as equal. However, this study examined the type of plant-based foods eaten, in addition to the overall amount. Healthy plant-based products were made up of fruits, vegetables and coffee while unhealthy plant-based products included juices, potatoes and any kind of sweets.
The study examined the link between the quantity (数量) and quality ofplant-based foods and heart health over a 10-year period. In 2011, the study selected 146 fat adults living in Athens with normal blood pressure and blood sugar. Diet was studied using a questionnaire about usual habits in the year. It listed 156 foods and drinks commonly had in Greece. Within ten years, nearly half of these fat participants developed high blood pressure and high blood sugar, though most of them preferred plant-based foods. The rest who ate quality plant- based foods, however, didn't have these health problems.
Regarding (关于) the quality of plant-based foods, healthier choices were linked with keeping normal blood pressure and blood sugar. On the contrary, eating unhealthy plant-based foods was connected with developing high blood pressure and high blood sugar. These relationships were stronger in women compared to men.