Cardiometabolic risk factors in Vegans: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Strict adherence to plant-based diets may have favorable effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health.

​This study evaluated whether diets can improve or aggravate the risk factors of cardio-metabolic diseases. Researchers performed a meta-analysis on data drawn out from 40 human studies conducted in a dozen countries.

Researchers observed that vegans had healthier cardiovascular and metabolic profiles than their counterparts on omnivorous diets. Individuals on vegan diets were found to have healthy body mass index, lower waist circumference, low blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, normal blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose—all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disease—compared to their peers who consumed omnivorous diets. This study adds to the existing body of evidence supporting the intake of plant-based diets for the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.