A new study suggests that vegetarian diets, as well as strict vegan diets that exclude meat, are generally associated with good medical factors related to cardiovascular health, cancer risk, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and death.
On May 15, the latest review study of nearly 50 previously published papers was published in "Public Library of Science - Comprehensive."
Previous research has linked certain diets to increased risks of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Diets low in plant-based products and high in meat, refined grains, sugar, and salt intake are associated with higher mortality risks. Some suggest reducing animal product consumption and increasing plant-based products to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. However, the overall benefits of such diets are not yet clear.
To deepen the understanding of the potential benefits of a plant-based diet, Angelo Capodici and colleagues from the University of Bologna in Italy reviewed 48 papers published between January 2000 and June 2023, which synthesized evidence from multiple previous studies. They extracted and analyzed data from 48 papers linking plant-based diets to cardiovascular health and cancer risk.
Their analysis indicates that overall, vegetarian diets and strict vegan diets are strongly statistically associated with the health status of many risk factors related to heart metabolic diseases, cancer, and mortality rates, such as blood pressure, blood sugar management, and body mass index. This diet is associated with reduced risks of ischemic heart disease, gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality.
However, in pregnant women, vegetarians have no difference in the risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension compared to non-vegetarian pregnant women.
In conclusion, these findings suggest significant health benefits associated with a plant-based diet. However, researchers point out significant limitations due to various differences in specific dietary patterns followed in previous studies, patient demographics, study duration, and other factors. Additionally, some plant-based diets may lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals for some individuals. Therefore, researchers caution against widespread recommendations of plant-based diets until more studies are completed.
For more information on the related paper, visit: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0300711
