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.
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
- 15% lower relative riskLower cancer incidence in vegans (relative)
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.
Cite this record
Vegetarian, vegan diets and multiple health outcomes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of observational studies. The Balance of Health. https://thebalanceofhealth.com/sources/dinu-2017-vegetarian-vegan-diets-and-multiple-health-outcomes