Two decades of studies find huge health benefits linked to plant-based diets
Plant-based diets were once again found to lower the risk of disease in this umbrella review looking at data from nearly 50 studies published over 23 years. They found that vegetarian and vegan diets are significantly associated with better lipid profile (fats in the blood), glycaemic (blood sugar) control, body weight/BMI, inflammation and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
Previous studies have shown that diets low in plant foods and rich in meat, refined grains, sugar and salt are associated with a higher risk of death. Reducing your consumption of animal-based products in favour of plant-based foods could then lower your risk of disease. They conclude that plant-based diets may reduce cardiometabolic risk factors, cardiovascular diseases (such as heart disease and stroke), cancer risk and death.
The authors said: “Our study evaluates the different impacts of animal-free diets for cardiovascular health and cancer risk showing how a vegetarian diet can be beneficial to human health and be one of the effective preventive strategies for the two most impactful chronic diseases on human health in the 21st century.”
Capodici A, Mocciaro G, Gori D et al. 2024. Cardiovascular health and cancer risk associated with plant based diets: an umbrella review. PLoS ONE. 19 (5) e0300711.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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