Veg Out

Turns out all those years your parents nagged about eating your veggies were not just punishment. A new study reveals an extraordinary statistic: It may be possible to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) by a whopping 38 percent with a vegetable-heavy diet, according to an article on seniorjournal.com

The study used specially bred mice that rapidly develop atherosclerosis, half of which were fed an entirely vegetable-free diet and the other half consumed a diet of 30 percent vegetables (a mixture of dried broccoli, green beans, corn, peas and carrots).

Researchers tracked the mice for 16 weeks and found that the veggie-fed mice had not only plaques in their vessels that were 38 percent smaller, but also improvements in body weight and cholesterol levels in the blood.

Michael Adams, lead researcher, said "Although the pathways involved remain uncertain, the results indicate that a diet rich in green and yellow vegetables inhibits the development of hardening of the arteries and may reduce the risk of heart disease."

This study is believed to be the first to directly link increased vegetable consumption to decrease in development or progression of atherosclerosis.

So reconsider that bag of baby carrots next time you're choosing a snack.