Risk of hospitalization or death from ischemic heart disease among British vegetarians and nonvegetarians: results from the EPIC-Oxford cohort study.

Ischemic heart disease incidence and mortality rates may be negatively associated with the consumption of vegetarian diets.

This study assessed the correlation between dietary choices and the likelihood of being hospitalized or suffering from death due to ischemic heart disease (IHD). Scientists from University of Oxford, UK, compared dietary patterns with the rate of occurrence of ischemic heart disease among 44,561 men who enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Oxford Study. 

The team of investigators found habitual intake of vegetarian diets decreased the risk of acquiring and dying from ischemic heart disease. This study provides evidence that support that plant foods may play a beneficial role in preventing both development and death from ischemic heart disease.