Just 12% of the U.S. population is eating 50% of the beef that's consumed in a day, and according to a study in the journal Nutrients the vast majority of those people are teen and adult men.

That may help explain why men generally develop heart disease seven to 10 years earlier than women (whose risk increases after menopause, and then may exceed men's).

Here's a simple way to reduce your bad LDL cholesterol, as well as risks for cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke — and shed excess weight. Substitute legumes (peas, fava beans, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, green beans, and pinto, kidney, and black beans) for beef, pork, and processed meats.  

A study in the European Journal of Nutrition says that when men reduce their red and processed meat intake from 27 ounces to 7 ounces or less a week for six weeks, they improve their LDL levels and lose weight (without trying).

And what if you ditch those 7 ounces too? In my opinion, you'll have a truly longer and healthier life.

What makes legumes healthy? High fiber, protein, and their mineral and vitamin content (plus no carnitine and zero or negligible saturated fat). They dish up iron, magnesium, potassium, folate, and B vitamins, as well as polyphenols — which boost immunity, protect heart health and bone strength, and help quell inflammation.

Eating canned beans (drained and washed twice) or boiling dried beans for 10 minutes delivers the best ratio of nutritional benefits.