Major 20 Year Review Finds Plant-Based Diets Reduce Disease Risk

A recent "umbrella review" published in PLOS ONE analyzed 48 systematic reviews from 2000 to 2023 and found that plant-based diets are associated with improved health and reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Vegetarian and vegan diets showed better health markers, such as lower cholesterol levels, healthier body weight, and reduced inflammation. Additionally, vegetarians were found to have a lower risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.

Plant-based eaters were also found to be more physically active and consume less sugary drinks, alcohol, and cigarettes compared to omnivores. However, the researchers caution that the quality of the studies included in the review varied, which may affect the strength and validity of the results. Despite these limitations, the review aligns with other evidence linking the consumption of red and processed meats to an increased risk of gastrointestinal cancers.