Association of vegetarian diet with inflammatory biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

A reduction in blood levels of inflammatory biomarkers, such as C-reactive proteins, is associated with consistent consumption of vegetarian diets.

 ​This study investigated the link between the intake of vegetarian diets and the rate of occurrence of inflammation. Researchers conducted a meticulous meta-analysis on data extracted from 18 prior studies. They observed that subjects who strictly adhered to a vegetarian diets for at least 2 years had lower plasma levels of C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)—a biomarker of inflammation—than those who were not on vegetarian diets. The findings of this study suggest that habitual consumption of vegetarian diets may decrease serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, such as hs-CRP, and the rate of occurrence of inflammation.