Healthy Eating Archive

A heart disease diagnosis may trigger a bout of depression. But having depression can also leave people more vulnerable to heart disease. Some of the overlap stems from shared lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and an unhealthy diet. In addition to addressing those issues, other safe and effective ways to ease depression include working with a therapist, using a light box, and taking medications.

In a 2025 study, people with the healthiest diets and trimmest bellies at midlife had better brain connections and skills decades later, compared with people who ate the worst diets and had the most belly fat.

A 2025 study found that replacing butter with plant-based oil such as corn, canola, soybean, or olive oil is associated with significantly lower risks of dying from cardiovascular disease or cancer.

People whose average daily diets included at least 18 grams of fiber were less likely to have a stroke than those who ate less fiber, according a 2025 study.

Increasing potassium levels while lowering sodium may be more effective in lowering high blood pressure than reducing dietary salt alone, particularly for men, according to a 2025 study.

Ultraprocessed packaged foods and drinks contain thickeners, preservatives, and other additives to improve their taste, texture, appearance, and shelf life. But the high amounts of salt, sugar, and fat in these products are probably more concerning for a person's health. Foods like sugary drinks and processed meats are the worst culprits. Eating a diet focused on whole, plant-based foods automatically lowers processed food intake and provides heart-protecting nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Meatless burgers-which include plant-based meat alternatives like Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger and veggie burgers-are healthy replacements for traditional hamburgers. Those with the lowest amounts of saturated fat and sodium are the best options.

Following a mostly plant-based diet starting in middle age can boost a person's odds of healthy aging, defined as reaching age 70 free from chronic disease while also maintaining cognitive, physical, and mental health, according to a 2025 study.