Researchers in China studied what nearly 2,800 adults ate and looked at their health records to understand how different eating patterns affect common diseases like heart problems and high cholesterol. They found that people who ate more mushrooms, seaweed, beans, seafood, and vegetables had lower risk of heart disease. On the other hand, people who ate lots of dairy, sugary drinks, and snacks had higher cholesterol levels. This research suggests that the types of foods you combine together matter just as much as eating individual healthy foods.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different eating patterns (the combinations of foods people regularly eat) relate to the risk of getting heart disease and high cholesterol
  • Who participated: 2,828 adults living in Shandong Province, China who answered detailed questions about what they ate between 2015 and 2016
  • Key finding: People who regularly ate mushrooms, seaweed, beans, seafood, and vegetables had about 75% lower risk of heart disease compared to others. However, people who frequently consumed dairy products, sugary drinks, and snacks had higher rates of high cholesterol
  • What it means for you: Your overall eating pattern—not just individual foods—influences your heart health. Eating more plant-based foods like mushrooms, seaweed, and legumes may help protect your heart, while regularly consuming sugary drinks and snacks may increase cholesterol problems. Talk to your doctor before making major diet changes, especially if you have existing health conditions

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot of people’s eating habits and health at one point in time, rather than following them over years. The researchers asked 2,828 adults in China detailed questions about what foods they ate using a food frequency questionnaire—basically a checklist of common foods where people report how often they eat each one.

The researchers then used a statistical method called factor analysis to group similar eating patterns together. This helped them identify three main ways people eat: Pattern 1 (balanced diet with grains, vegetables, fruits, meat, and eggs), Pattern 2 (plant-focused with mushrooms, seaweed, beans, and seafood), and Pattern 3 (high in dairy, sugary drinks, and snacks). They then compared these patterns to see who had heart disease or high cholesterol.

The researchers carefully adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that might affect disease risk, like age, exercise, smoking, and body weight. This helps ensure the diet patterns themselves—not other lifestyle factors—were responsible for the differences they found.

Cross-sectional studies are useful for identifying patterns and associations in real-world populations, which can guide future research and public health recommendations. By looking at actual eating patterns rather than single nutrients, this study reflects how people really eat—in combinations and meals—which is more realistic than studying one food in isolation.

This study has several strengths: it included a large number of people (2,828), used detailed dietary questionnaires, and adjusted for many confounding factors. However, because it’s cross-sectional, we can’t prove that the diet patterns caused the disease differences—only that they’re associated. People who eat healthier may also exercise more or have other healthy habits. The study was conducted in one Chinese province, so results may not apply equally to other populations with different foods and genetics. The data is from 2015-2016, so eating patterns may have changed since then.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was about dietary pattern 2 (high in mushrooms, seaweed, legumes, seafood, and vegetables). People who followed this pattern had about 75% lower risk of heart disease compared to those who didn’t follow it as closely. This was a strong and statistically significant finding, meaning it’s unlikely to be due to chance.

The second major finding involved dietary pattern 3 (high in dairy products, sugary beverages, and snacks). People who ate this way had significantly higher rates of high cholesterol (dyslipidemia). This pattern showed the opposite effect—it increased disease risk rather than protecting against it.

Dietary pattern 1, which was more balanced and included a variety of foods, didn’t show strong associations with either disease in this study. This suggests that the extreme patterns—either very plant-focused or very processed/dairy-focused—had the most noticeable health effects.

The research also revealed that the combination of foods matters more than individual foods alone. For example, while vegetables are healthy, eating them as part of a pattern that includes mushrooms, seaweed, and seafood seemed to provide extra protection. Similarly, dairy isn’t inherently bad, but when combined with lots of sugary drinks and snacks, it was associated with higher cholesterol. The study suggests that food synergy—how foods work together—may be important for health outcomes.

These findings align with previous research showing that plant-based eating patterns reduce heart disease risk. The Mediterranean diet and other vegetable-rich diets have shown similar protective effects in other populations. However, this study is unique because it specifically examined Chinese eating patterns and included traditional Chinese foods like mushrooms and seaweed, which haven’t been as thoroughly studied in Western research. The finding about sugary drinks and snacks increasing cholesterol risk is consistent with numerous other studies showing these foods harm cardiovascular health.

This study has important limitations to consider. First, it only shows associations, not cause-and-effect relationships—we can’t say the diet patterns definitely caused the disease differences. Second, the data is from 2015-2016, so it may not reflect current eating habits. Third, the study only included people from one province in China, so results may not apply to other regions or ethnic groups with different foods available and different genetics. Fourth, people self-reported what they ate, which can be inaccurate—people may forget foods or underreport unhealthy eating. Finally, the study didn’t account for all possible factors affecting health, like stress, sleep quality, or family history of disease.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, consider eating more plant-based foods, especially mushrooms, seaweed, legumes (beans), and seafood as part of your regular diet. These foods appear to have protective effects against heart disease. At the same time, try to limit sugary drinks, snacks, and excessive dairy products, which may increase cholesterol problems. However, this is one study in one population, so talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian before making major dietary changes, especially if you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or other health conditions. The evidence is moderate—these findings are promising but not definitive.

These findings are most relevant to adults concerned about heart disease and cholesterol risk. They’re particularly important for people with family histories of heart disease or those already diagnosed with high cholesterol. However, because the study was done in China with Chinese foods and populations, the exact recommendations may need adjustment for other regions. People with seafood allergies or those who don’t eat certain foods should work with a healthcare provider to adapt these patterns to their needs. If you have existing heart disease or take cholesterol medications, consult your doctor before changing your diet significantly.

Changes in cholesterol levels from diet modifications typically appear within 2-4 weeks, though the full effect may take 6-8 weeks. Heart disease risk reduction is a longer-term benefit that develops over months and years of consistent healthy eating. Don’t expect overnight changes, but consistent adherence to healthier eating patterns can meaningfully reduce disease risk over time.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily intake of mushrooms, seaweed, legumes, and seafood servings (aim for at least 2-3 servings combined daily), and monitor your intake of sugary drinks and processed snacks (try to keep these to fewer than 2 servings per week). Log these in your food diary with specific portions.
  • Start by adding one new food from the protective pattern each week—try mushrooms in one meal, seaweed in another, beans in a third. Simultaneously, identify your top sugary drink or snack and replace it with a healthier alternative. Use the app to set reminders for meal planning that includes these foods.
  • Weekly, review your eating pattern adherence using the app’s food logs. Monthly, track any changes in energy levels or how you feel. If you have access to health metrics, monitor cholesterol levels every 3-6 months through your doctor. Use the app to identify trends—which healthy foods you’re eating consistently and which unhealthy foods you’re still consuming regularly—and adjust accordingly.

This research describes associations between eating patterns and disease risk in one Chinese population and cannot prove cause-and-effect relationships. These findings should not replace personalized medical advice from your doctor or registered dietitian. If you have heart disease, high cholesterol, or other chronic conditions, consult your healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. This study is observational and based on self-reported food intake, which has limitations. Individual responses to dietary changes vary based on genetics, overall lifestyle, medications, and other health factors. Always seek professional medical guidance for diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases.