Plant-based diets are recommended to reduce the risk of heart disease, but some may be associated with a higher risk, according to a study published July 17 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study found that while a higher intake of a plant-based diet index rich in healthier plant foods was associated with substantially lower coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, a plant-based diet index that emphasizes less-healthy plant foods, like sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes and sweets, was associated with higher CHD risk. The long-term follow up allowed authors to examine dietary patterns and analyze the effect of gradual adherence to a plant-based diet through reduced animal food intake and increased plant food intake on heart disease risk. Read more on ACC.org.