New Study Reveals Eating Vegetables Does Not Help Us from Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Eating vegetables have no significant impact when it comes to protecting us against cardiovascular disease, according to a new study, which highlights the long-held belief that a high vegetable intake results in good health.

Although the study came up with this conclusion, the scientists behind the research still propose that eating vegetables, accompanied by a balanced diet and normal weight, are still some of the ways to ensure a healthy life.

The study reportedly received criticisms from other experts even though the new study revealed that there was no connection between high vegetable consumption and lower risk from cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease has been a common cause of death not only among elderly people but also among adults.

Some of the most common forms of the disease are heart attack, heart failure, and heart valve disease.

Health Hazards of Cardiovascular Disease

(Photo : Justin Sullivan via Getty Images)

An international research team consisting of experts from China and the UK published their new study in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition on Feb. 21.

The study explores the long-held notion that consuming a high number of vegetables may equate to health, including cardiovascular diseases.

The research team observed that there are nutrients within vegetables that do not yield significant health benefits to the heart to fight against cardiovascular diseases.

Specifically, the team found that there is no link between eating a large number of vegetables and a lower risk from cardiovascular diseases.

Despite the recent discovery, the study still shows that eating vegetables, along with practicing a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight, is necessary to ensure a robust heart and overall health, as per Frontiers Science News.

Also read: "Superfood" Walnuts Protect Against Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease

Study Variables Taken Into Consideration

The researchers examined approximately 400,000 people across the UK-specifically from the UK Biobank; a database that tracks the overall health and diet habits of more than 500,000 people across Great Britain.

The participants enrolled in the database between 2006 and 2010, as per the study.

The researchers took into account several study variables in understanding the connection between cooked and raw vegetables and their risk for cardiovascular diseases.

The researchers used the UK Biobank to look for factors under the economic, social, and lifestyle aspects of the participants.

In conclusion, the researchers found that there is only small evidence that eating more vegetables leads to a healthy heart while considering the said variables.

Prior to the study, eating vegetables was thought to be parallel with maximizing the heart's health against cardiovascular diseases.

Criticisms from Experts in the US and UK

The new study received a series of criticisms from experts in the US and the UK.

Experts still say that although the study found little connection between vegetables and cardiovascular disease, we should still eat vegetables, according to CNN.

Cases of Cardiovascular Disease

Millions of people, including adults and the elderly, are susceptible to cardiovascular diseases worldwide. It is one of the deadliest health conditions since it is often characterized to occur with little to no warning.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said heart problems are the main cause of death regardless of gender or ethnic group across the US.

The CDC also said cardiovascular disease kills one person every 36 seconds in the US and about 659,000 people die from heart disease in the US.

The disease has caused economic damage and medical expenses worth billions of US dollars.