Plant-based diets and control of lipids and coronary heart disease risk.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of death worldwide. Dietary factors have an important role in influencing the outcome of this disease. Dietary guidelines around the world now recommend increased consumption of plant foods for the prevention of CHD. Epidemiologic and human intervention studies have documented an inverse relationship between the consumption of plant-based diets and deaths attributed to heart disease. Plant foods contain many beneficial compounds that, by acting through multiple mechanisms, provide protection against the disease. American and Canadian recommendations for the daily intake of fruits and vegetables provide a sound basis for a healthy diet and the prevention of CHD.