Twenty years of research point to health benefits associated with plant-based diets, but caution is advised

Vegetarian and vegan diets are generally associated with better status on several medical factors related to cardiovascular health and cancer risk, as well as a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and death, according to a new study. review of 48 previously published articles. Angelo Capodici and colleagues present these findings in the open access journal PLOS ONE on May 15, 2024.

Previous studies have linked certain diets to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. A diet low in plant products and high in meat, refined grains, sugar and salt is associated with a higher risk of death. It is suggested that reducing the consumption of animal products in favor of plant products reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, the overall benefits of such diets remain unclear.

To deepen understanding of the potential benefits of plant-based diets, Capodici and colleagues reviewed 48 articles published between January 2000 and June 2023 that compiled evidence from multiple previous studies. Using an ‘umbrella’ review approach, they extracted and analyzed data from the 48 articles on the link between plant-based diets, cardiovascular health and cancer risk.

Their analysis found that overall, vegetarian and vegan diets have a robust statistical association with better health status on a number of risk factors associated with cardiometabolic disease, cancer and mortality, such as blood pressure, blood sugar control and body mass index. . Such diets are associated with a reduced risk of ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, and death from cardiovascular disease.

However, especially among pregnant women, those on a vegetarian diet experienced no difference in their risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension compared to those on a non-plant-based diet.

Overall, these findings suggest that plant-based diets are associated with significant health benefits. However, the researchers note that the statistical power of this association is significantly limited by the many differences between previous studies in terms of the specific dietary regimens followed, patient demographics, study duration, and other factors.

In addition, some plant-based diets can cause vitamin and mineral deficiencies in some people. Therefore, the researchers caution against large-scale recommendations for plant-based diets until more research is completed.

The authors add: “Our study evaluates the differential effects of animal-free diets on cardiovascular health and cancer risk, and shows how a vegetarian diet can be beneficial for human health and be one of the effective preventive strategies for the two most impactful chronic diseases on humans. healthcare in the 21st century.”