CROSS-SECTIONAL | EVIDENCE
(2004) Fruit and vegetable consumption and LDL cholesterol: the National Heart, Lung, and BlooD***
A cross-sectional study of 4,466 participants in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Family Heart Study found an inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. As daily servings increased, LDL levels decreased: for men, LDL was 3.36 mmol/L at 0-1.9 servings and 3.17 mmol/L at 4 or more servings; for women, LDL was 3.35 mmol/L at 0-1.9 servings and 3.11 mmol/L at 4 or more servings. This dose-response relationship held across various factors like age and physical activity. PubMed
(2016) Impact of plant-based diet on lipid risk factors for atherosclerosis
This cross-sectional study examined the effects of a vegan diet on serum lipid profiles in 42 healthy adults (21 vegans, 21 omnivores) aged 23 to 38. Results showed that vegans had significantly lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B (p < 0.001) compared to omnivores, suggesting a potential cardiovascular benefit. However, HDL cholesterol levels and HDL particle characteristics remained similar between groups. The findings suggest that while a vegan diet may improve overall lipid profiles, it does not significantly alter HDL composition. PubMed
(2021) Fruit and Vegetable Consumption is Inversely Associated with Plasma Saturated Fatty Acids at
A cross-sectional analysis of 240 participants from the PREDIMED-Plus study found an inverse relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and plasma saturated fatty acids, especially in those with high dietary fat intake. Using gas chromatography, researchers observed that higher fruit and vegetable intake was linked to lower total fatty acids and n-6 polyunsaturated fats in the high-fat intake group. These results indicate that fruit and vegetable consumption may help reduce certain plasma fatty acids, particularly in diets high in fat. PubMed
(2022) Pro-vegetarian food patterns and cardiometabolic risk in the PREDIMED-Plus studY*
This cross-sectional study looked at how following different plant-based eating patterns affects heart and metabolic health in 6,439 adults with metabolic syndrome. It found that people who followed a general plant-based or healthful plant-based patterns had a lower risk of heart disease and metabolic problems, while those who followed an unhealthful plant-based pattern had a higher risk. Specifically, those who stuck to more healthful plant-based foods showed a reduced risk compared to those who ate less of these foods. PubMed