Source record
Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies
Monica Dinu, Rosanna Abbate, Gian Franco Gensini, Alessandro Casini, Francesco Sofi (2017). Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition.
- Last reviewed
- Reviewer
- Editorial placeholder
- Status
- sample
Sample data. The figures and sources on this page are demonstration records showing how evidence will be presented. They are approximate and have not yet been through our review process. Read about how we will verify evidence.
Key findings
- Vegetarian diets were associated with lower BMI, cholesterol and blood glucose, and with a lower risk of ischaemic heart disease (around 25% lower) and cancer incidence (around 8% lower). No significant reduction in all-cause mortality was found.
Record
- Source type
- Meta Analysis
- Study type
- Meta Analysis
- Topics
- Heart & blood vessels, Cancer
- Geography
- Multiple countries
- Sample size
- 86 cross-sectional and 10 cohort studies
- Funding & conflicts
- Not recorded.
- Source quality
- Moderate evidenceLarge meta-analysis, but of observational studies only.
Limitations
- Observational studies cannot prove cause; vegetarians in these cohorts differ from others in smoking, exercise and income.
- Few studies isolated vegan (as opposed to vegetarian) diets.
Statistics we use from this source
- 25% lower relative riskLower risk of ischaemic heart disease in vegetarians (relative)
- 8% lower relative riskLower overall cancer incidence in vegetarians (relative)
- 0% (no significant difference)Difference in all-cause mortality for vegetarians
Claims this source supports
HealthModerate evidence
Vegetarian and vegan diets are associated with lower cholesterol and around a quarter lower relative risk of ischaemic heart disease.
People eating plant-based diets have fewer heart attacks on average. Trials show these diets lower cholesterol, which supports a causal link.
Claims this source challenges or complicates
HealthModerate evidence
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.