Scientists from the University of New Mexico and colleagues found that the indigenous population of Bolivia has the lowest rates of cardiovascular disease in the world. Study published in The Lancet.

American scientists have found that chimans, the small indigenous people of Bolivia, have the lowest rates of atherosclerosis in the world. Researchers found this out by visiting 85 Bolivian villages and examining 705 people between the ages of 40 and 94. It turned out that 596 out of 705 people (85%) had no risk of cardiovascular disease, 13% had a minimal risk of disease, and only 3% had a moderate or high risk.

For comparison, the same study conducted on 6814 Americans (aged 45 to 84 years) showed that half of the subjects had a moderate or high risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chimans lead far from European way of life, their main activities are agriculture, hunting and fishing. According to previous studies, most people in all countries spend about 54% of their waking hours in a sitting position. The indigenous population of Bolivia, this figure is only 10%.

Bolivian diets are low in fat (14%), especially saturated. Their diet is dominated by foods with a high content of complex carbohydrates and fiber (72%). Chimans eat mainly rice, fruits, nuts, corn, tapioca and bananas..

The protein content in the diet is only 14% and comes mainly from fish and meat of animals caught in the hunt.. Researchers also note that smoking among the population is extremely rare..

According to the researchers, although the lifestyle of indigenous Bolivians is very different from the lifestyle of industrial society, some of its elements can still be carried over into the life of a modern person.. According to scientists, this could significantly reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease..

aspekty. net.