Heart Health with a Plant-Based Diet

Research shows a plant-based diet doesn’t just prevent heart disease, but it can
manage and sometimes even reverse it. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of
death in the United States and around the world. Eating habits and other lifestyle factors
play a key role in determining the risk of heart disease. Pioneering studies by Dean
Ornish, MD, Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., MD, and others have shown a low-fat, plant-based
diet, combined with regular exercise and a healthful overall lifestyle, can prevent, delay,
and even reverse heart disease and other cardiovascular events. A plant-based diet can also help
improve several risk factors for heart disease:
• High Blood Pressure: A plant-based diet, rich in potassium, improves blood pressure.
• High Cholesterol: Aim for high-fiber foods, which can help lower cholesterol.
• Atherosclerosis: Diets rich in saturated fat and cholesterol cause plaque buildup in
the arteries, restricting blood flow.
• Inflammation: Plant-based diets help reduce inflammation, which can lead to heart
disease and other conditions.

This two-hour class features a video, a discussion, and the opportunity to taste plant-
based dishes following a cooking demonstration.