Composition

• Cholesterol levels increase when people eat high-cholesterol, high-saturated fat foods. Fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol and are almost always low in saturated fat, according to Ornish. "Cholesterol is only found in animal products, including meats, poultry, fish and dairy," according to Ornish.
  
  

Cholesterol

• People with high cholesterol levels are at an increased risk of heart disease. "For every 1 percent drop in blood cholesterol levels, there is a 2 percent drop in coronary risk," according to "The Well Adult."
  
  

History

• Hunter-gatherers rarely had heart disease because they ate half the fat and twice the fiber as modern societies, according to "The Well Adult." Today, nations like Japan with high-vegetable, high-fruit diets have far lower cholesterol and heart attack rates than nations like Finland with high-meat diets.
  
  

Features

• Fruits and vegetables also have lots of fiber. High-fiber foods should be the first food choice for diabetics, who are twice as likely to have heart attacks than non-diabetics, according to "The New Pritikin Program."
  
  

Fresh is Better

• Fresh fruits and vegetables reduce heart disease risks more than processed fruits and vegetables because the latter "are prepared in such a way as to increase their calorie, fat and salt load," according to "The Well Adult."
  
  

Folic acid

• Folic acid also protects against heart disease, according to "Essentials for Health and Wellness." Foods that are sources for folic acid include green leafy vegetables, fruits, and dried beans and peas.