A recent study conducted in the United Kingdom has shown that consuming a lot of vegetables does not necessarily help prevent heart-related diseases and health issues. Researchers at Oxford University analyzed data from over 400,000 Britons over a period exceeding 12 years, during which 18,000 individuals experienced significant heart problems, including heart attacks and strokes.
During the study, participants were asked about the amount of vegetables they consumed daily, and this was compared to heart disease rates. The group that ate raw vegetables was 15% less likely to develop heart disease compared to those who consumed fewer vegetables.
However, the benefit of eating vegetables diminished when other factors were considered, such as lifestyle and socioeconomic status. The study concluded that consuming large amounts of vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and peas does not have a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
Co-author of the study, Dr. Ben Lacey, stated, "Maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy weight remains an important part of good health and reducing the risk of major diseases, including some types of cancer." A report in the journal "Frontiers of Nutrition" suggests that any link between vegetable consumption and heart health may stem from the fact that those who eat a lot of vegetables tend to be healthier in other aspects of their lives, according to the British newspaper Daily Mail.
