Vegetarian diet reduces heart disease risk by 20%

Scientists made the discovery after analysing the eating and lifestyle habits of more than 450,000 people for more than a decade

Turning vegetarian or just eating more veg could reduce your chance of heart disease by up to 20%.

Scientists made the discovery after analysing the eating and lifestyle habits of more than 450,000 people for more than a decade.

Those who got 70% of their food from plant sources were 20% less at risk than those where it made up less than 45% of their diet.

Lead researcher Dr Camille Lassale, of Imperial College London’s School of Public Health, said: “Instead of drastic avoidance of animal-based foods, substituting some of the meat in your diet with plant-based sources may be a very simple, useful way to lower cardiovascular mortality.”

The research took account other factors such as age, smoking and obesity.

It comes just days after a study found drinking three cups of coffee a day can slash your risk of a heart attack .

Research published in respected journal Heart has found those who drink three to five cups a day are less likely to develop clogged arteries which could lead to heart attacks or strokes.

People who have between three and five cups a day had the least amount of coronary calcium in their arteries.

Having too much of this can be an early indicator of coronary atherosclerosis - a potentially deadly condition where arteries become clogged up by fatty substances known as plaques or atheroma.

This causes arteries to harden and narrow, leading to blood clots which can trigger a heart attack or a stroke