Science has been discovering more and more data that suggests that plant-based diets can be very beneficial.
(Also read: The plant with medicinal effects that controls blood pressure).
In new research, scientists from Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States analyzed the most relevant evidence published in two decades in order to summarize what science indicates on this topic.
To do this, the researchers collected 48 works published in scientific journals between 2000 and 2023, which in turn compiled evidence from previous studies.
Their results, released yesterday in PLOS ONE, showed that lExclusively vegetarian or vegan diets have a strong statistical association with better health status. This is because they are related to a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases, cancer and death.
A vegetarian or vegan diet is related to a decreased risk of diseases such as cancer.
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In terms of specific health conditions, the results read, these diets are associated with a lower risk of ischemic heart disease (a disease that attacks the main blood vessels of the heart), gastrointestinal and prostate cancer, and death from cardiovascular disease. .
“We believe that having been able to cover such a wide range of years of scientific studies is an important added value to our literature review and leads to an increase in the strength of the association we found between vegetarian and vegan diets and better health.“, tells “El Mercurio” Davide Gori, professor at the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Bologna (Italy), who led the research.
Plant-based diets reduce cardiovascular risk.
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“It is a very good quality study, with very robust information. It had already been observed that plant-based diets reduce cardiovascular risk by regulating cholesterol and blood glucose and pressure levels. It is very good that now we have this work that corroborates it so solidly,” says the expert.
Less inflammation
Regarding other mechanisms that explain the benefit of these dietary patterns, Gori says: “It has been postulated that People who adopt vegetarian or vegan diets consume more vegetables and whole foods, which have high levels of vitamins, minerals and other substances with antioxidant effects. and anti-inflammatory, while being less exposed to the inflammation and oxidation produced by the substances in meat and other processed foods of animal origin (such as sausages)”.
“The studies we analyzed were based on diets that had been designed by expert nutritionists (…). We know that vegetarian diets, which emphasize the consumption of unhealthy foods, high in sugar, refined grains and French fries, have proven to have a rather negative impact and were not included in the analysis,” says Gori.
Verónica Irribarra, nutritionist and specialist in diabetes at the UC Faculty of Medicine, says: “Indeed, a person can be a vegetarian and not eat a healthy diet.. “I think the important thing to highlight from this research is that we are all going to benefit from eating less and less meat and from a high consumption of fruits, vegetables and legumes.”
Irribarra points out: “This work is very useful and is in line with what we are doing, which is trying to get the population to focus more on plant-based diets for all the benefits that we now know they have.”
Plant-based foods contain large amounts of fiber in their components.
Photo:iShock
recommendations
According to those interviewed, it is established that vegetarian and vegan diets are safe at all ages. However, It is advisable to consult with a specialist to ensure that the eating plan is adequate and complete.and thus avoid a deficiency of vitamins or critical nutrients, says Eliana Reyes, nutritionist and director of the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at the U. de los Andes.
(Keep reading: Foods that suppress hunger and do not make you fat: to snack on during the day).
“This is especially important for adolescents and pregnant women, who may be at risk of iron and vitamin B12 deficiencies by excluding products and not eating well. The call is to obtain information and advice to be able to follow a healthy and healthy vegetarian or vegan diet. supplement if necessary,” says the doctor.
Janina Marcano
EL MERCURIO (Chile)
GDA
