Study Links Higher Plant Protein Intake to Reduced Heart Disease Risk

Harvard research suggests shifting to a plant-heavy protein diet significantly lowers cardiovascular and coronary heart disease risks.

A 30-year Harvard study of over 200,000 participants found that increasing the ratio of plant to animal protein in diets can reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by 19% and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk by 27%.
Researchers recommend at least a 1:2 plant-to-animal protein ratio, compared to the current average American diet of 1:3, for optimal heart health benefits.
Replacing red and processed meats with plant-based proteins like nuts, legumes, and whole grains also helps lower inflammation, improve blood pressure, and reduce harmful blood fats.
The study highlights that while CVD risk reduction levels off at a 1:2 ratio, CHD prevention continues to improve with higher plant protein intake, with a recommended ratio of 1:1.3 or greater.
The findings support both personal health and environmental benefits, though researchers note limitations, including reliance on self-reported data and a predominantly White participant pool.