Amreen Sheikh, head dietician at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, concurred and told indianexpress.com that a pescatarian diet is generally considered better for heart health than a hard-core non-vegetarian diet since people consume more red and processed meats. She said that the pescatarian diet offers the best combination of heart-protective nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids from fish along with the benefits of a plant-based diet. “It has been associated with the lowest risk of heart disease when eaten regularly,” said Sheikh.

“Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for their heart-protective effects, such as reducing inflammationlowering blood pressure, and decreasing the risk of heart disease. Whereas a diet high in red and processed meats contains more saturated fats, which increases cholesterol levels and, in turn, increases the risk of heart disease,” said Sheikh.

According to Sheikh, omega-3 fatty acids from fish reduce inflammation, which significantly contributes to cardiovascular disease. “Red meat and processed meats contain compounds that can promote inflammation, increasing the risk of heart disease,” said Sheikh.

How is heart health affected by diet? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

The dietitian said that a pesco-vegetarian diet improves levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol) and lower levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) compared to a hard-core non-vegetarian diet that can raise LDL levels, increasing the risk of Cardiovascular diseases.

“A well-planned vegetarian diet is also good for heart health due to its low saturated fat and high fiber content. However, vegetarians need to ensure they get enough omega-3s and vitamin B12 for optimal heart health,” said Sheikh.

Notably, non-vegetarian diets can still be heart-healthy if they focus on lean meats like chicken or turkey, while limiting red and processed meats, contended Dr Sai. “However, excessive consumption of high-fat meats and processed foods can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said Dr Sai.

The healthiest heart diet is one that is “balanced, focuses on plant-based foods, and includes heart-healthy fats”. “Whether you’re vegetarian, pescatarian, or non-vegetarian, moderation and the quality of food choices matter most for heart health,” said Dr Sai.

Concurred, Dr Ujjawal Kumar, consultant, cardiology, Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad as he recommended following plant-based, or pescatarian diet, or Mediterranean diet or DASH diet which consists of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, for the heart, alongside a balanced lifestyle. .

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.