A new study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging found that adhering to a healthy plant-based diet is linked to a lower risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease among older individuals. Conversely, an unhealthy plant-based diet was associated with an increased risk of mortality from these conditions. The study did not find a significant connection between mixed plant- and animal-based diets and changes in overall or specific cause mortality risk, nor did it find any link between plant-based diets and the risk of death from cancer. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the long-term benefits of plant-based diets, which takes time to establish despite the ethical, environmental, and health reasons to shift towards such diets.
Using data from the European Eye Study, researchers in Spain investigated the impact of plant-based diets on longevity by examining their effect on all-cause death, cardiovascular disease mortality, and cancer mortality among 597 participants aged 65 and older. The study categorized participants’ diets into healthy pro-vegetarian (hPVG), unhealthy pro-vegetarian (uPVG), and general pro-vegetarian (gPVG) diets, based on definitions developed in previous research. Results from the study showed that individuals who moderately adhered to a healthy pro-vegetarian diet had a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality, while those closely following an unhealthy pro-vegetarian diet had an increased risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease. Adherence to a general pro-vegetarian diet did not show any association with mortality outcomes.
According to the study, healthy pro-vegetarian diets include nutrient-dense plant foods such as green vegetables, fruits, plant-based proteins, whole grains, nuts, and healthy oils while eliminating processed foods, unhealthy fats, and deep-fried foods. In contrast, unhealthy pro-vegetarian diets consist of processed plant-based foods high in refined grains, sugars, and unhealthy fats. General pro-vegetarian diets include both plant-based and animal-based foods, scoring plant foods positively and animal foods in reverse. The study’s findings lend support to the benefits of embracing a plant-centric diet for overall health and longevity.
Board-certified family medicine physician Julia R. Blank further explained that unhealthy pro-vegetarian diets typically consist of processed foods cooked in unhealthy fats, high in sodium, pro-inflammatory, and capable of increasing blood sugar levels, hypertension, and the risk of cardiovascular disease. She noted that the lack of association between diets and cancer mortality in this study may be attributed to the study’s specifics, including the relatively short follow-up period of 12 years. Blank also suggested that dietary choices could potentially influence cancer risk over time through factors like inflammation and exposure to microplastics and pesticides found in food items, which can lead to DNA changes contributing to cancer development.
The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets in assessing their impact on mortality outcomes. A general pro-vegetarian diet, which balances plant-based and animal-based foods, may offer more flexibility in transitioning to a plant-centric eating pattern. While the study did not find a significant association between plant-based diets and cancer mortality, there is potential for dietary choices to influence long-term cancer risk through various factors. Further research and longer-term studies are needed to better understand the comprehensive health benefits of plant-based diets and their impact on longevity, cardiovascular health, and overall mortality. The study encourages individuals to prioritize nutrient-dense plant foods and avoid processed, unhealthy options for optimal health outcomes in the aging population.
