Green leafy vegetables may slash heart disease risk by 29%

Eating more green leafy vegetables could help protect against heart disease, new findings suggest. Researchers have linked higher vitamin K1 intake to thinner artery walls and a lower risk of atherosclerosis. This condition affects millions in Germany and remains a leading cause of death. Atherosclerosis, a disease where arteries harden and narrow, impacts between 15 and 20 million people in Germany. Around four million suffer from severe cases. The condition is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, which is one of the country’s top killers.

Vitamin K1, found in foods like spinach and kale, appears to play a key role in preventing arterial calcification. Women with the highest intake of this vitamin showed artery walls that were 5.6 percent thinner. Their risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease also dropped by 29 percent. Experts recommend a daily dose of about 120 micrograms of vitamin K1. Eating just one and a half cups of green leafy vegetables each day can help meet this target. Such dietary changes may significantly reduce the risk of atherosclerosis over time.

The findings highlight a simple way to improve heart and blood vessel health. Adding more green leafy vegetables to meals could lower the risk of atherosclerosis. For many, this small change might make a big difference in long-term cardiovascular health.