The vegetables that best support heart health may not be the same for everyone. According to a new Australian study, men and women appear to benefit from different types of vegetables, highlighting the growing importance of personalized nutrition.
Researchers from the Edith Cowan University Nutrition and Health Research Institute analyzed the dietary habits of more than 600 Australian adults and found notable differences in how vegetable consumption was associated with cardiovascular health in men and women.
The study showed that young men who regularly consumed legumes, including beans, lentils, and peas, were less likely to develop early risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
For women, the strongest protective effects were linked to cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale. Women who consumed these vegetables more frequently had a lower likelihood of developing both heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers also found that eating the most suitable type of vegetables at least once a day was associated with better cardiovascular health, even among adults in their early twenties, suggesting that heart protection begins much earlier than many people realize.
Dr. Theresa O’Sullivan, from the Edith Cowan University Nutrition and Health Research Institute, explained that men and women appear to process nutrients from vegetables differently. She noted that compounds found in legumes may have stronger interactions with testosterone in men, while nutrients in cruciferous vegetables seem to have greater effects on female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
Despite these promising findings, the researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to confirm the biological mechanisms behind these differences before dietary recommendations are updated.
For now, experts continue to recommend eating a wide variety of vegetables every day, as they remain one of the most affordable and effective ways to support heart health, reduce the risk of chronic disease, and improve overall well-being.
