A vegan athlete's heart-is it different? Morphology and function in echocardiography

Abstract

Plant-based diets are a growing trend, including among athletes. This study compares the differences in physical performance and heart morphology and function between vegan and omnivorous amateur runners. A study group and a matched control group were recruited comprising N = 30 participants each. Eight members of the study group were excluded, leaving N = 22 participants. Members of both groups were of similar age and trained with similar frequency and intensity. Vegans displayed a higher VO2max (54.08 vs. 50.10 mL/kg/min, p < 0.05), which correlated positively with carbohydrate intake (Q = 0.52) and negatively with MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acids) intake (Q = .0.43). The vegans presented a more eccentric form of remodelling with greater left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDd, 2.93 vs. 2.81 cm/m2, p = 0.04) and a lower relative wall thickness (RWT, 0.39 vs. 0.42, p = 0.04) and left ventricular mass (LVM, 190 vs. 210 g, p = 0.01). The left ventricular mass index (LVMI) was similar (108 vs. 115 g/m2, p = NS). Longitudinal strain was higher in the vegan group (-20.5 vs.-19.6%, p = 0.04), suggesting better systolic function. Higher E-wave velocities (87 vs. 78 cm/s, p = 0.001) and E/e' ratios (6.32 vs. 5.6, p = 0.03) may suggest better diastolic function in the vegan group. The results demonstrate that following a plant-based diet does not impair amateur athletes f performance and influences both morphological and functional heart remodelling. The lower RWT and better LV systolic and diastolic function are most likely positive echocardiographic findings.