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CNN reports that a recent review showed swapping animal-based foods with plant-based options may reduce the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. “We emphasize the potential health advantages of incorporating more plant-based foods into the diet,” according to Sabrina Schlesinger. The study revealed a 27% reduction in the incidence of heart disease when processed meat was replaced with nuts, and a 26% reduction when the meat was swapped with legumes. Further, this research has challenged us to reconsider our dietary habits and the long-term impact they have on our health.
When swapping 50 grams of processed meat per day with 10-28g of nuts per day, a 22% reduction in the incidence of type 2 diabetes was also observed. This calls into question the traditional eating habits and sets the stage for exciting new alternatives to the classic “meat and potatoes” diet. The study also discovered that replacing butter with olive oil and eggs with nuts can also prove beneficial. And while the results do not rely on a single study, the meticulous summarization of all available evidence on the topic is a key strength of the review. With the consistency of the findings from previous studies, we can now have a robust level of confidence in the effect estimates. Although the association of reduced risk was observed when swapping butter and eggs, the same couldn’t be said for other dairy products, fish, seafood, or poultry.
The study suggests that processed meat, containing saturated fatty acids, which increase the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, could be substituted with nuts, legumes, and whole grains, which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce inflammation. Alas, this alternative explanation poses significant challenges, suggesting that there may be other hidden benefits of people favoring plant-based foods. It is essential to seek a comprehensive understanding of dietary habits and be cautious about blindly substituting animal-based products for plant-based products simply for the health benefits. Diet should be carefully planned to include enough iron, iodine, vitamin B12, and vitamin D to avoid any potential nutritional deficiencies.
