Claim
A well-planned vegan diet is associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases, but the evidence does not show a clear difference in overall mortality, and poorly planned vegan diets carry nutritional risks.
It can be, if it is built on whole foods and covers a few nutrients. 'Vegan' on its own is not a health claim.
Why this rating: Consistent benefits for specific outcomes, but observational data, mixed mortality findings and real nutrient risks prevent a stronger rating.
Supported by good-quality studies that point the same way, but with gaps: fewer studies, mostly observational data, or some inconsistency.
Explanation
Studies find lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers in people on plant-based diets, but not a consistent reduction in overall death rates.
Vegan diets range from whole foods to chips and sweets. The health effects depend on which one you eat.
Limitations
- Vegans are a small group in most cohorts; results often pool vegetarians and vegans.
Methodology
- Synthesis of systematic reviews of observational studies and nutrient-status surveys.
Sources for this claim
Each source links to our record of what it found, its limitations and what we used it for, with a link to the original.
- 1Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies
Monica Dinu, Rosanna Abbate, Gian Franco Gensini et al. (2017). Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
- 2How prevalent is vitamin B12 deficiency among vegetarians?
Roman Pawlak, Scott Parrott, Sudha Raj et al. (2013). Nutrition Reviews.
Cite this record
A well-planned vegan diet is associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases, but the evidence does not show a clear difference in overall mortality, and poorly planned vegan diets carry nutritional risks.. The Balance of Health. https://thebalanceofhealth.com/claims/is-a-vegan-diet-healthier-overall