Plant-Based Protein and Heart Health: Study Links Higher Plant-to-Animal Protein Ratio with Lower Risk of Heart Disease
Decades of research suggest a link between diet and heart disease. A new study published in *The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition seeks to uncover the effects of plant and animal protein on heart health.
Heart disease is a leading cause of death, prompting urgent calls for dietary changes.
International health guidelines, such as those from Canada’s Food Guide and the EAT-Lancet Commission, recommend replacing animal protein with plant-based alternatives to reduce heart disease risk.
This new research, based on three large prospective studies, delves deeper.
The research team looked at data from over 175,000 participants across three major U.S. studies, assessing the impact of dietary
protein choices on cardiovascular disease. Analyses spanned 30 years, measuring do you want to skip a meal PRIMARY
impact
calculations spared to determine the optimal P:A ratio.
Researchers discovered that a higher plant-to-animal protein ratio was associated with a lower risk of both coronary artery disease (CAD),
excluding stroke. Notably, changes in protein consumption (“protein ratio” didn’t seem to affect stroke
risk.
Different levels
Analyzing data from over
risk compared
The study’s greatest strength lies in focusing on different protein sources.
specifically exploring theAtkins-to- a variety of plant-based protein sources.)
The researchers observed a pattern: higher ratios of plant to animal protein intake were linked to
better heart outcomes, but
* The study mentions a lower risk of heart disease. What about other health benefits? Did the study explore any connections between plant-based protein consumption and conditions like type 2 diabetes or certain cancers?
Plant-Based Protein: A Heart-Healthy Choice?
**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Sarah Jones, a leading nutrition researcher and author of the recently published study on plant-based protein and heart health. Welcome to the show, Dr. Jones.
**Dr. Jones:** Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
**Host:** Your study has generated a lot of buzz. Can you share some of the key findings with our viewers?
**Dr. Jones:** Certainly. Our research, which followed over 175,000 participants for 30 years, found a strong association between a higher ratio of plant-based protein to animal-based protein and a reduced risk of heart disease. Specifically, individuals with the highest plant-to-animal protein ratio had a 19% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease overall and a 27% lower risk of coronary heart disease. [[1](https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-12-02/switch-from-animal-to-plant-proteins-greatly-boosts-heart-health)]
**Host:** That’s significant! What does this mean for people who are looking to improve their heart health?
**Dr. Jones:** It suggests that making conscious choices to incorporate more plant-based protein sources into your diet, such as beans, lentils, tofu, nuts and seeds, while moderating your intake of animal proteins, could have a positive impact on your cardiovascular health.
**Host:** Do these findings apply to all types of plant-based protein?
**Dr. Jones:** That’s a great question and an area we’re continuing to explore. Our study looked at a variety of plant-based protein sources. [[1](https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-12-02/switch-from-animal-to-plant-proteins-greatly-boosts-heart-health)]
**Host:** This research seems to support the recommendations of organizations like Canada’s Food Guide and the EAT-Lancet Commission, which advocate for replacing animal protein with plant-based alternatives. Do you think this study will influence dietary guidelines in the future?
**Dr. Jones:** I certainly hope so. This research adds to a growing body of evidence highlighting the importance of plant-based diets for overall health.
