Your mom was right all along about eating your veggies, and now science has the proof! Researchers from IDIBAPS and UOC have uncovered the heart-protective benefits of carotenes, as reported in the Clinical Nutrition journal.
The Research Team
This significant discovery was led by Gemma Chiva Blanch, part of the IDIBAPS research group focusing on diabetes, lipids, and obesity.
Chiva Blanch is also affiliated with the CIBEROBN research center and teaches at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC).
Understanding Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis might sound complex, but it’s essentially the build-up of bad cholesterol (LDL) inside our blood vessels. This build-up forms plaques that narrow these vessels, making it harder for blood to flow.
These plaques can break apart, leading to life-threatening clots that cause heart attacks or ischemic strokes.
The Role of Carotenes
Carotenes are compounds found in colorful fruits and vegetables like carrots, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, broccoli, bell peppers, mangoes, apricots, and pumpkins. They have been suspected to fight against atherosclerosis.
Chiva Blanch noted that previous studies on carotenes were inconclusive, and supplements could even be harmful.
The Study’s Approach
The study involved 200 volunteers aged 50 to 70 from the DIABIMCAP cohort. Led by Antoni Sisó Almirall, the team measured the carotene levels in the participants’ blood and used ultrasound imaging to check for atherosclerotic plaques in their carotid artery.
The Findings
The results were fascinating. The higher the levels of carotenes in the blood, the lower the likelihood of atherosclerosis, particularly among women.
Chiva Blanch concluded that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and thereby in carotenes, can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Conclusion
The takeaway is clear and simple: consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables can be a natural and effective way to protect your heart.
For those interested in heart health, further reading on how eating eggs can influence heart disease risk and the role of Vitamin K2 in reducing heart disease risk is recommended.
Additionally, exploring recent studies on removing plaques that cause heart attacks and new methods to prevent heart attacks and strokes could provide more insights into heart health.
Published in Clinical Nutrition, this study reinforces the age-old wisdom: eating your fruits and veggies is crucial for a healthy heart.
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