Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Peak HN moment, arguing that a well known fact (eating vegetables is good for your health) is actually some vegan conspiracy


What you’re saying seems untrue to the point of being disingenuous.

Op claimed that a vegan diet (a much stricter diet than “eating vegetables”) can reverse atherosclerosis to the point of not needing surgery (a much stronger claim than “is healthy”), and for that, very much yes, citation needed.


OP didn't claim a vegan diet, "plant-based" (the link even says "more plant-based") in virtually no possible definition translates to vegetarian. A full blown strawman :D


Are you ignoring on purpose that "plant-based" has been used as a politically acceptable, less polarising synonym to vegan?


If that fact is so well known can you point to an unambiguous well-known trial which demonstrates its truth?


...basically any physician?

Anyway, a two minute Google search can even find some US-friendly related material (but probably someone could be able to say that Harvard is a vegan-soviet-wokist psyop, one could never know...)

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/disease-prevent...

"The best diet for preventing heart disease is one that is full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry, and vegetable oils; includes alcohol in moderation, if at all; and goes easy on red and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, foods and beverages with added sugar, sodium, and foods with trans fat."

See also https://web.archive.org/web/20131207154611/http://www.cnpp.u...


1. That is not a vegan diet

2. That claims to prevent, not reverse the disease.



> preventing

The question was about evidence which would show that it could reverse heart disease not prevent it.

IMHO that’s an extremely important distinction.


> The question was about evidence which would show that it could reverse heart disease not prevent it.

It's under the video in the list of sources :)

Ellis FR, Sanders TA. Angina and vegan diet. Am Heart J. 1977 Jun;93(6):803-5

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S00028...

Four patients were placed on a vegan diet in 1977. Three of them adhered to the diet and experienced a reversal of the disease (an improvement in their symptoms), while one patient saw improvement but later switched back to a regular diet, resulting in a return of his symptoms.

Esselstyn CB Jr, Gendy G, Doyle J, Golubic M, Roizen MF. A way to reverse CAD? J Fam Pract. 2014 Jul;63(7):356-364b

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25198208/

In a study involving 198 patients with cardiovascular disease, 89% adhered to a plant-based diet, eliminating dairy, fish, and meat while adding oil. These adherent patients experienced only one recurrent cardiac event (a stroke), resulting in a low recurrence rate of 0.6%. In contrast, 62% of nonadherent participants experienced adverse events. This suggests that intensive counseling on plant-based nutrition can be successful in reducing cardiac events and warrants further testing in broader populations to address the cardiovascular disease epidemic.


It's not even vegetarian much less vegan.


The Nurses' Health Study: This long-term study, conducted by Harvard University, has examined the dietary habits and health outcomes of thousands of nurses over several decades. It has consistently shown the health benefits of vegetable consumption

The Framingham Heart Study: Another long-running study, the Framingham Heart Study, has looked at heart disease risk factors and health outcomes in a large population. It has demonstrated the positive effects of a diet rich in vegetables on heart health

https://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/2021/02/25/plant-based-diets-i...

Plant-based Diets Improve Cardiac Function, Cognitive Health

The EPIC (European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition) Study: This study involves multiple countries in Europe and has provided significant evidence of the health benefits of plant-based diets, including lower risks of cancer and chronic diseases.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Trial: While not exclusively focused on vegetables, the DASH trial emphasizes the importance of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables for managing blood pressure and overall health


I think that's a false dilemma - both or neither can be true. They're independent statements, I should think.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: