The Macrobiotic Diet and Heart Health: 10 Things You Should Know

The macrobiotic diet focuses on natural and living foods and can have many heart health benefits for those that follow it.

Here are 10 things you should know about the macrobiotic diet:

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1. The requirements of the macrobiotic diet can vary depending on who administers it. Most practitioners prohibit meat, and some advise cutting out all animal products completely, according to U.S. News and World Report.

2. The macrobiotic diet ranked as the 18th best heart-healthy diet among 38 diets that were reviewed by U.S. News and World Report experts. The Ornish Diet was judged best overall.

3. Organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and unprocessed foods are the foundation of the diet.

4. Another part of the macrobiotic diet includes taking your time and meditating. Many of those following a macrobiotic diet are also Buddhists. Food is sometimes considered sacred and should be prepared in a peaceful environment, according to Everyday Health.

5. Other requirements include limiting the methods of preparation and types of cookware and utensils that should be used.

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6. One unusual practice some macrobiotic dieters follow is to chew each bite of food 50 times. They also eat at regular intervals and don’t skip meals, according to WebMD. These habits don’t have direct bearing on heart health, although eating slowly can help with weight loss, which could then impact heart health.

7. The macrobiotic diet is considered to be healthy for your heart because it limits refined sugar and fats, especially fats from animal sources, according to Dr. Andrew Weil.

8. Studies of those who follow a macrobiotic diet have indicated lower serum cholesterol and blood pressure levels than those in the general population, which suggests that the diet can help to prevent heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

9. Certain vegetables known as nightshade vegetables are excluded from the diet. Nightshade vegetables are not generally thought to be unhealthy except for in some cases of arthritis, where they seem to increase joint pain.

10. It is a drawback of the macrobiotic diet that it is fairly difficult to follow. People can’t get benefits from a diet they aren’t willing to follow.

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• The Paleo Diet and Heart Health: 10 Things You Should Know
• The Ornish Diet and Heart Health: 14 Things You Should Know