A daily dose of vegetables helps keep the arteries clear, a new study shows. Researchers tested a vegetable rich diet on lab mice bred to quickly develop the arterial plaque build-up that leads to heart attacks and strokes. The results were obtained based on a diet composed of 30 percent vegetables-- and French fries don't count. After 16 weeks, the veggie mice had 38 percent less atherosclerosis, or hardening and narrowing of the arteries, compared to the mice on the veggie-free diet. The veggie mice also had lower levels of inflammatory protein. Chronic blood vessel inflammation contributes greatly to atherosclerosis. The study focused on the most commonly eaten vegetables: broccoli, carrots, green beans, peas and corn. These, and other veggies, contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant plant compounds called polyphenols. Along with other antioxidant-rich vitamins, the polyphenols neutralize cell-destroying molecules. So eat your vegetables and have happy arteries.
