Eating vegetables and avoiding heavy meats may contribute to more a healthier heart. Findings published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology suggest that eating a plant-based diet may improve blood-phosphorus levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

In the recent study, researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine reported feeding individuals with CKD two diets consecutively, one based on meat and the other on vegetables. Both regimens contained the same levels of dietary protein and phosphorus.

They found that the vegetarian diet tended to have lower levels of phosphorus in the blood compared to meat-rich meals. High levels of phosphorus in the bloodstream can lead to severe heart disease in those suffering from CKD.

The team theorized that while both diets contained dietary protein, which the body metabolizes into products including phosphates, the forms of phosphate contained in vegetables may not be as readily digested by the body as those found in meat.

The researchers concluded that vegetables and whole grains provide adequate nutrition while preventing buildup of phosphates in the blood.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables boosts heart health and is a valuable part of any weight-loss regimen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.