An update of the evidence relating to plant-based diets and cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and overweight

Abstract

Recent findings from meta-analyses, European cohorts and randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the relationship between plant-based dietary regimes (i.e. those with an emphasis on plant foods, such as vegetarian, vegan, Mediterranean or combination diets), and the incidence of, or risk factors for, cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are considered in this review. Evidence from meta-analyses of epidemiological studies indicates that those following plant-based dietary regimes have around 20–25% lower risk of developing CVD and a similar reduced risk of developing T2D. Evidence from RCTs indicates that those following plant-based dietary regimes have lower total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and blood pressure, and modest reductions in inflammatory and endothelial markers. Higher intake of plant foods has been associated with lower incidence of obesity, lower BMI and smaller waist circumference. For weight loss, it seems that following a plant-based dietary regime results in weight loss comparable to that achieved on conventional reduced calorie diets, but with better overall weight management. The totality of evidence indicates there are benefits for cardiovascular health, risk of developing T2D and weight management from following a plant-based dietary regime. From a nutritional perspective, plant-based diets tend to be lower in saturated fatty acids, higher in unsaturated fatty acids and fibre, and lower in energy density than typical ‘Western’ diets. These qualities may be at the core of the health benefits reported and/or it may be simply a greater proportion of plant foods in the diet that is beneficial in its own right.