-
European Heart Journal Jul 2023Due to growing environmental focus, plant-based diets are increasing steadily in popularity. Uncovering the effect on well-established risk factors for cardiovascular... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIMS
Due to growing environmental focus, plant-based diets are increasing steadily in popularity. Uncovering the effect on well-established risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of death worldwide, is thus highly relevant. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the effect of vegetarian and vegan diets on blood levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B.
METHODS AND RESULTS
Studies published between 1980 and October 2022 were searched for using PubMed, Embase, and references of previous reviews. Included studies were randomized controlled trials that quantified the effect of vegetarian or vegan diets vs. an omnivorous diet on blood lipids and lipoprotein levels in adults over 18 years. Estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. Thirty trials were included in the study. Compared with the omnivorous group, the plant-based diets reduced total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B levels with mean differences of -0.34 mmol/L (95% confidence interval, -0.44, -0.23; P = 1 × 10-9), -0.30 mmol/L (-0.40, -0.19; P = 4 × 10-8), and -12.92 mg/dL (-22.63, -3.20; P = 0.01), respectively. The effect sizes were similar across age, continent, duration of study, health status, intervention diet, intervention program, and study design. No significant difference was observed for triglyceride levels.
CONCLUSION
Vegetarian and vegan diets were associated with reduced concentrations of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B-effects that were consistent across various study and participant characteristics. Plant-based diets have the potential to lessen the atherosclerotic burden from atherogenic lipoproteins and thereby reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Lipids; Vegetarians; Cholesterol, LDL; Lipoproteins; Cardiovascular Diseases; Atherosclerosis; Apolipoproteins
PubMed: 37226630
DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad211 -
Journal of Perinatology : Official... May 2021To determine the effect of a maternal vegan diet on pregnancy outcome. (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a maternal vegan diet on pregnancy outcome.
STUDY DESIGN
This is a prospective observational study. Women with a singleton pregnancy who maintained the same diet prior to, and throughout current pregnancy were enrolled. Stratification was performed according to diet type: vegans, lacto-ovo-vegetarians, fish-eaters, and omnivores.
RESULTS
Overall, 273 women were enrolled, of them, 112 omnivores, 37 fish-eaters, 64 lacto-ovo-vegetarians, and 60 vegans. The vegan diet was significantly associated with an increased risk of small-for-gestational-age newborns compared only to an omnivore diet (RR = 5.9, 95% CI, 1.2-21.8). The incidence of preterm birth was similar in all groups. Vegans had lower birthweight compared to lacto-ovo-vegetarians (3015 ± 420 g vs. 3285 ± 482 g, P = 0.004), and to omnivores (3328 ± 495 g, P < 0.001), but not to fish-eaters. Vegans also had a lower mean gestational weight gain compared only to omnivores (11.6 ± 4.2 kg vs. 14.3 ± 4.6 kg, P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The vegan diet is associated with an increased risk for small-for-gestational-age newborns and lower birthweight.
Topics: Animals; Diet; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Premature Birth; Vegetarians
PubMed: 32873905
DOI: 10.1038/s41372-020-00804-x -
Nutrients Apr 2023Nutrition strategies improve physiological and biochemical adaptation to training, facilitate more intense workouts, promote faster recoveries after a workout in...
BACKGROUND
Nutrition strategies improve physiological and biochemical adaptation to training, facilitate more intense workouts, promote faster recoveries after a workout in anticipation of the next, and help to prepare for a race and maintain the body's hydration status. Although vegetarianism (i.e., lacto-ovo and veganism) has become increasingly popular in recent years, the number of vegetarian athletes is not known, and no specific recommendations have been made for vegetarian dietary planning in sports. Well-planned diets are mandatory to obtain the best performance, and the available literature reports that those excluding all types of flesh foods (meat, poultry, game, and seafood) neither find advantages nor suffer from disadvantages, compared to omnivorous diets, for strength, anaerobic, or aerobic exercise performance; additionally, some benefits can be derived for general health.
METHODS
We conceived the VegPlate for Sports, a vegetarian food guide (VFG) based on the already-validated VegPlate facilitating method, designed according to the Italian dietary reference intakes (DRIs).
RESULTS
The VegPlate for Sports is suitable for men and women who are active in sports and adhere to a vegetarian (i.e., lacto-ovo and vegan) diet, and provides weight-based, adequate dietary planning.
CONCLUSIONS
The VegPlate for Sports represents a practical tool for nutrition professionals and gives the possibility to plan diets based on energy, carbohydrate (CHO), and protein (PRO) necessities, from 50 to 90 Kg body weight (BW).
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Diet; Diet, Vegetarian; Sports; Diet, Vegan; Athletes
PubMed: 37049586
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071746 -
Obesity Reviews : An Official Journal... Sep 2022In parallel with an increased focus on climate changes and carbon footprint, the interest in plant-based diets and its potential health effects have increased over the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
In parallel with an increased focus on climate changes and carbon footprint, the interest in plant-based diets and its potential health effects have increased over the past decade. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the effect of vegan diets (≥12 weeks) on cardiometabolic risk factors in people with overweight or type 2 diabetes. We identified 11 trials (796 participants). In comparison with control diets, vegan diets reduced body weight (-4.1 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -5.9 to -2.4, p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (-1.38 kg/m , 95% CI -1.96 to -0.80, p < 0.001), glycated hemoglobin (HbA ) (-0.18% points, 95% CI -0.29 to -0.07, p = 0.002), total cholesterol (-0.30 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.08, p = 0.007), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-0.24 mmol/L, 95% CI -0.40 to -0.07, p = 0.005). We identified no effect on blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. We found that adhering to vegan diets for at least 12 weeks may be effective in individuals with overweight or type 2 diabetes to induce a meaningful decrease in body weight and improve glycemia. Some of this effect may be contributed to differences in the macronutrient composition and energy intake in the vegan versus control diets. Therefore, more research is needed regarding vegan diets and cardiometabolic health.
Topics: Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol, HDL; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet, Vegan; Humans; Overweight; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 35672940
DOI: 10.1111/obr.13462 -
Nutrients Apr 2020Unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, this umbrella review aims to comprehensively review the effects of dietary... (Review)
Review
Unhealthy diet is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, this umbrella review aims to comprehensively review the effects of dietary factors, including dietary patterns, food groups, and nutrients on CVD risks. Medline and Scopus databases were searched through March 2020. Systematic reviews with meta-analyses (SRMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies measuring the effects of dietary factors on CVD risks were eligible. Fifty-four SRMAs, including 35 SRMAs of observational studies, 10 SRMAs of RCTs, and 9 SRMAs of combined RCT and observational studies, were included for review. Findings from the SRMAs of RCTs suggest the significant benefit of Mediterranean and high-quality diets for lowering CVD risk, with pooled risk ratios (RRs) ranging from 0.55 (95%CI: 0.39-0.76) to 0.64 (95%CI: 0.53-0.79) and 0.70 (95%CI: 0.57-0.87), respectively. For food nutrients, two SRMAs of RCTs found that high intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) significantly reduced CVD risks, with pooled RRs ranging from 0.89 (95%CI: 0.82, 0.98) to 0.90 (95%CI: 0.85-0.96), while evidence of efficacy of n-6 PUFA and combined n-3 and n-6 PUFA were inconsistent. Moreover, results from the SRMAs of RCTs did not find a significant benefit of a low-salt diet and low total fat intake for CVD prevention. For food groups, results from the SRMAs of cohort studies suggest that high intakes of legumes, nuts, and chocolate, as well as a vegetarian diet significantly reduced the risk of coronary heart disease, with pooled RRs of 0.90 (95%CI: 0.84-0.97), 0.68 (95%CI: 0.59-0.78), 0.90 (95%CI: 0.82-0.97), and 0.71 (95%CI: 0.57-0.87), respectively. Healthy dietary patterns had a significant benefit for CVD prevention. With the substitutional and synergistic interactions between different food groups and nutrients, dietary recommendations for CVD prevention should be focused more on healthy dietary patterns than single food groups or nutrients.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Chocolate; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Diet, Healthy; Diet, Mediterranean; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Diet, Vegan; Fabaceae; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Humans; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Nuts; Observational Studies as Topic; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Systematic Reviews as Topic
PubMed: 32326404
DOI: 10.3390/nu12041088 -
Nutrition Reviews Mar 2021Vegetarian and vegan diets are increasing in popularity. Although they provide beneficial health effects, they may also lead to nutritional deficiencies. Cognitive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
CONTEXT
Vegetarian and vegan diets are increasing in popularity. Although they provide beneficial health effects, they may also lead to nutritional deficiencies. Cognitive impairment and mental health disorders have a high economic burden.
OBJECTIVE
A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between vegan or vegetarian diets and cognitive and mental health.
DATA SOURCES
PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Proquest databases were examined from inception to July 2018.
STUDY SELECTION
Original observational or interventional human studies of vegan/vegetarian diets were selected independently by 2 authors.
DATA EXTRACTION
Raw means and standard deviations were used as continuous outcomes, while numbers of events were used as categorical outcomes.
RESULTS
Of 1249 publications identified, 13 were included, with 17 809 individuals in total. No significant association was found between diet and the continuous depression score, stress, well-being, or cognitive impairment. Vegans/vegetarians were at increased risk for depression (odds ratio = 2.142; 95%CI, 1.105-4.148) and had lower anxiety scores (mean difference = -0.847; 95%CI, -1.677 to -0.018). Heterogeneity was large, and thus subgroup analyses showed numerous differences.
CONCLUSIONS
Vegan or vegetarian diets were related to a higher risk of depression and lower anxiety scores, but no differences for other outcomes were found. Subgroup analyses of anxiety showed a higher risk of anxiety, mainly in participants under 26 years of age and in studies with a higher quality. More studies with better overall quality are needed to make clear positive or negative associations.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42018097204.
Topics: Anxiety; Cognition; Depression; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Humans; Mental Health; Vegans; Vegetarians
PubMed: 32483598
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaa030 -
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Oct 2020We aimed to explore the association of vegetarian-vegan diets and pregnancy outcomes.
PURPOSE
We aimed to explore the association of vegetarian-vegan diets and pregnancy outcomes.
METHODS
A retrospective, web-based study conducted in 2017. Women who delivered < 4 years prior to enrolment where eligible to participate. Participants were allocated to 3 groups based on their self-reported diet during pregnancy: omnivores, vegetarians or vegans. Outcomes of interest including birthweight centile, small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA), preterm birth (PTB), maternal excessive weight gain (EWG) and gestational diabetes (GDM) were compared between the groups.
RESULTS
Overall, 1419 women of which 234 vegans (16.5%), 133 vegetarian (9.4%) and 1052 omnivores (74.1%) were included in final analysis. Maternal vegan diet during pregnancy was associated with a lower birth weight centile as compared to omnivores (42.6 ± 25.9 vs. 52.5 ± 27.0 P < 0.001), a greater adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for SGA (aOR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.05, 2.86) but not with the risk of LGA (aOR = 0.55; 95% CI 0.30, 1.00). Further adjustment for BMI showed similar but nonsignificant associations for SGA and LGA as compared to the omnivore group. Vegan diet was associated with lower risk for maternal EWG (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI 0.44, 0.86) and modest nonsignificant association with GDM (aOR = 0.54 95% CI 0.28, 1.03) which was further attenuated by adjustment for pre-pregnancy BMI. Maternal diet group was not associated with the risk of PTB or low birth weight.
CONCLUSIONS
Maternal vegan diet is a protective factor from EWG but associated with a higher risk for SGA and lower birth weight centile. The association between vegan diet and fetal growth was mediated by maternal BMI.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Diet, Vegetarian; Female; Humans; Maternal Health; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 32776295
DOI: 10.1007/s00404-020-05689-x -
Nutrients Nov 2022Caloric restriction and vegan diets have demonstrated protective effects for diabetes, however their role in improving clinically relevant outcomes has not been... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Investigating the Effectiveness of Very Low-Calorie Diets and Low-Fat Vegan Diets on Weight and Glycemic Markers in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Caloric restriction and vegan diets have demonstrated protective effects for diabetes, however their role in improving clinically relevant outcomes has not been summarized. Our aim was to evaluate the evidence for low-calorie diets (VLCD) and vegan diets on weight and glycemic control in the management of patients with Type 2 Diabetes. Database searches were conducted using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (Ovid) and Embase. Systematic Review Registration: CRD42022310299. Methodological quality of studies was assessed using Cochrane RoB Tool for RCTs, Cochrane ROBINS-I RoB Tool for non-RCTs and NIH Quality Assessment tool for other studies. Sixteen studies with a total of 834 individuals were included and assessed to have a moderate to high risk of bias. Statistically significant changes in weight, BMI, and HbA1c were not observed in vegan diet cohorts. However, LDL cholesterol was significantly decreased by vegan diet. VLCDs significantly improved glycaemic control, with reductions in fasting glucose, pooled mean difference (MD) -1.51 mmol/L (95% CI -2.89, -0.13; = 0.03; 2 studies) and HbA1c, pooled MD -0.66% (95% CI -1.28, -0.03; = 0.04; 3 studies) compared to non-dietary therapy. Both diets suggested a trend towards improved weight loss and anthropometric markers vs. control. VLCD diet intervention is associated with improvement in glycaemia control in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Vegan; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Glycated Hemoglobin; Caloric Restriction; Blood Glucose; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Biomarkers
PubMed: 36432557
DOI: 10.3390/nu14224870 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Nov 2022Low-carbohydrate, high animal fat and protein diets have been promoted for weight loss and diabetes treatment. We therefore tested the effect of a low-carbohydrate vegan... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Low-carbohydrate, high animal fat and protein diets have been promoted for weight loss and diabetes treatment. We therefore tested the effect of a low-carbohydrate vegan diet in diabetes as a potentially healthier and more ecologically sustainable low-carbohydrate option.
OBJECTIVES
We sought to compare the effectiveness of a low-carbohydrate vegan diet with a moderate-carbohydrate vegetarian diet on weight loss and metabolic measures in diabetes.
METHODS
One hundred and sixty-four male and female participants with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to advice on either a low-carbohydrate vegan diet, high in canola oil and plant proteins, or a vegetarian therapeutic diet, for 3 mo, with both diets recommended at 60% of calorie requirements. Body weight, fasting blood, blood pressure, and 7-d food records, to estimate potential greenhouse gas emissions, were obtained throughout the study with tests of cholesterol absorption undertaken at baseline and end of study on 50 participants.
RESULTS
Both low-carbohydrate vegan and vegetarian diets similarly but markedly reduced body weight (-5.9 kg; 95% CI: -6.5, -5.28 kg; and -5.23 kg; 95% CI: -5.84, -4.62 kg), glycated hemoglobin (-0.99%; 95% CI: -1.07, -0.9%; and -0.88%; 95% CI: -0.97, -0.8%), systolic blood pressure (-4 mmHg; 95% CI: -7, -2 mmHg; and -6 mmHg; 95% CI: -8, -3 mmHg), and potential greenhouse gas emissions, but only for potential greenhouse gas emissions was there a significant treatment difference of -0.63 kgCO/d (95% CI: -0.99, -0.27 kgCO/d) favoring the low-carbohydrate vegan diet.
CONCLUSIONS
Low-carbohydrate vegan and vegetarian diets reduced body weight, improved glycemic control and blood pressure, but the more plant-based diet had greater potential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02245399.
Topics: Humans; Diet, Vegan; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Vegans; Greenhouse Gases; Blood Glucose; Weight Loss; Body Weight; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted
PubMed: 36156115
DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac203 -
Nutrients Mar 2021Despite being a focal issue to patients, the effect of diet on adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored with limited guidance. While promising... (Review)
Review
Despite being a focal issue to patients, the effect of diet on adult inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains underexplored with limited guidance. While promising clinical trials are currently underway, there is a need for further evidence-based recommendations. As such, we summarize the current evidence on various diets used in the treatment of IBD and also explore the potential applications of dietary data from related immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, to provide additional information to inform IBD providers. To date, there have been multiple diets investigated as adjunctive therapy in IBD, but many associated studies are small, non-randomized, and not controlled. Mediterranean, vegetarian/vegan, and reduced-calorie/fasting diets have been studied and have shown some positive results in other IMIDs, which may suggest potential applicability to those with IBD, but larger, well-designed clinical trials are needed for further guidance. Gluten-free and low fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAP)diets do not appear to have an impact on IBD disease activity, but low FODMAP may potentially be helpful for those with concurrent functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Specific carbohydrate diets have been mainly assessed in children but show some potential in small adult studies.
Topics: Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Caloric Restriction; Diet; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; Diet, Gluten-Free; Diet, High-Protein Low-Carbohydrate; Diet, Mediterranean; Diet, Paleolithic; Diet, Vegan; Diet, Vegetarian; Fasting; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Psoriasis
PubMed: 33801883
DOI: 10.3390/nu13030890