Results: Non-vegans were up to eight times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, and vegans reported on average significantly lower blood pressure.

Cholesterol is the direct cause of coronary heart disease. Cholesterol can build up and eventually block your arteries, leading to coronary heart disease and maybe even heart attack. Trans fats and excess saturated fats increase your LDL levels, which is the "bad cholesterol" that builds up, so avoid foods with trans fats or ingredient labels listing something with hydrogenation. Animal products also have high cholesterol content.

Vegetables and fruits provide the small and normal amount of sodium people need. Sodium retains water, and too much of it causes the body to increase blood pressure. Most Americans eat double the recommended sodium level daily, which is extremely unhealthy and is likely the reason that almost half of all American adults have high blood pressure. Make sure to avoid processed meats, chicken (which is likely injected with salt), and pizza, which is the highest source of sodium for teens.

Excess sugar is known to be bad for you, but what exactly does it do to your heart? Added sugars are everywhere in foods, but too much can cause mainly obesity and inflammation. Obesity leads to higher cholesterol and high blood pressure, which all lead to heart diseases. Inflammation is harmful as well. Chronic inflammation is very dangerous as it may damage your heart and blood vessels. Make sure to stay away from soda. One soda alone could provide more recommended added sugars for the entire day. In fact, almost 300,000 lives could be saved if people stopped drinking so much soda.