Review of Studies Confirms Plant-Based Diets Improve Cardiovascular Health
Plant-based diets improve markers of cardiovascular health among people at highest risk of developing heart disease, according to a meta-analysis published in JAMA Network Open. A comprehensive review of 29 randomized control trials found that cholesterol, blood sugar, and body weight all improved more on vegetarian/vegan diets than they did simply by using standard therapy for cardiovascular disease.1
Numerous Physicians Committee studies were included in the analysis, including a recent study that found a low-fat vegan diet outperformed a Mediterranean diet in improving multiple cardiometabolic risk factors.2
References
- Wang T, Kroeger CM, Cassidy S, et al. Vegetarian dietary patterns and cardiometabolic risk in people with or at high risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(7):e2325658. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25658
- Barnard ND, Alwarith J, Rembert E, et al. A Mediterranean diet and low-fat vegan diet to improve body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors: a randomized, cross-over trial. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2022;41(2):127-139. doi:10.1080/07315724.2020.1869625