Veggie diet 'protects heart'

Fruit - and vegetables contain the key chemical

The presence of a key chemical in fruits and vegetables may explain why vegetarians are protected against heart disease.
The foods contain called salicylic acid which is a key ingredient in aspirin.

Aspirin is prescribed to reduce the risk of heart attacks.

It is also thought to help prevent bowel, breast and lung cancers, and perhaps Alzheimer's disease.

Vegetarians are already known to have less heart disease and bowel cancer than meat-eaters.

But this study, carried out by scientists at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, in Dumfries, looked at whether salicylic acid was the key.

BBC News Health