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| Vegetarians 'cut heart risk by 32%' | Vegetarians 'cut heart risk by 32%' |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News | By James Gallagher Health and science reporter, BBC News |
| Ditching meat and fish in favour of a vegetarian diet can have a dramatic effect on the health of your heart, research suggests. | Ditching meat and fish in favour of a vegetarian diet can have a dramatic effect on the health of your heart, research suggests. |
| A study of 44,500 people in England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of heart disease. | A study of 44,500 people in England and Scotland showed vegetarians were 32% less likely to die or need hospital treatment as a result of heart disease. |
| Differences in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight are thought to be behind the health boost. | Differences in cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight are thought to be behind the health boost. |
| The findings href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2013/01/30/ajcn.112.044073.abstract?sid=79c50832-5428-4f5e-ab4a-6356c122c676" >were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. | |
| Heart disease is a major blight in Western countries. It kills 94,000 people in the UK each year - more than any other disease, and 2.6 million people live with the condition. | Heart disease is a major blight in Western countries. It kills 94,000 people in the UK each year - more than any other disease, and 2.6 million people live with the condition. |
| The heart's own blood supply becomes blocked up by fatty deposits in the arteries that nourish the heart muscle. It can cause angina or even lead to a heart attack if the blood vessels become completely blocked. | The heart's own blood supply becomes blocked up by fatty deposits in the arteries that nourish the heart muscle. It can cause angina or even lead to a heart attack if the blood vessels become completely blocked. |
| Scientists at the University of Oxford analysed data from 15,100 vegetarians and 29,400 people who ate meat and fish. | Scientists at the University of Oxford analysed data from 15,100 vegetarians and 29,400 people who ate meat and fish. |
| Over the course of 11 years, 169 people in the study died from heart disease and 1,066 needed hospital treatment - and they were more likely to have been meat and fish eaters than vegetarians. | Over the course of 11 years, 169 people in the study died from heart disease and 1,066 needed hospital treatment - and they were more likely to have been meat and fish eaters than vegetarians. |
| Dr Francesca Crowe said: "The main message is that diet is an important determinant of heart health, I'm not advocating that everyone eats a vegetarian diet. | Dr Francesca Crowe said: "The main message is that diet is an important determinant of heart health, I'm not advocating that everyone eats a vegetarian diet. |
| "The diets are quite different. Vegetarians probably have a lower intake of saturated fat so it makes senses there is a lower risk of heart disease." | "The diets are quite different. Vegetarians probably have a lower intake of saturated fat so it makes senses there is a lower risk of heart disease." |
| The results showed the vegetarians had lower blood pressure, lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and were more likely to have a healthy weight. | The results showed the vegetarians had lower blood pressure, lower levels of "bad" cholesterol and were more likely to have a healthy weight. |
| Tracy Parker, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "This research reminds us that we should try to eat a balanced and varied diet - whether this includes meat or not. | Tracy Parker, from the British Heart Foundation, said: "This research reminds us that we should try to eat a balanced and varied diet - whether this includes meat or not. |
| "But remember, choosing the veggie option on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart. After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians that are high in saturated fat and salt. | "But remember, choosing the veggie option on the menu is not a shortcut to a healthy heart. After all, there are still plenty of foods suitable for vegetarians that are high in saturated fat and salt. |
| "If you're thinking of switching to a vegetarian diet, make sure you plan your meals carefully so that you replace any lost vitamins and minerals, such as iron, that you would normally get from meat." | "If you're thinking of switching to a vegetarian diet, make sure you plan your meals carefully so that you replace any lost vitamins and minerals, such as iron, that you would normally get from meat." |