Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Health
Summary
Plant-based dietary patterns, encompassing vegetarian, vegan and predominantly plant-centred flexitarian approaches, are increasingly recognised for their beneficial impact on cardiovascular health. Epidemiological studies consistently demonstrate that individuals adhering to diets rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and nuts experience lower rates of ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes. Mechanistic investigations attribute these benefits to reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, alongside improvements in endothelial function, insulin sensitivity and body weight. However, the quality of plant-based diets varies substantially; minimally processed whole foods confer greater protection than diets high in refined carbohydrates, added sugars and saturated fats from processed meat substitutes. Emerging research also explores hybrid patterns, such as pesco-vegetarian and Mediterranean diets, which combine plant-rich menus with modest intakes of fish or dairy, and appear to yield comparable cardiometabolic gains. Globally, the adoption of healthful plant-based diets offers a cost-effective strategy to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease and supports sustainability objectives. Translation into practice requires clear dietary guidelines emphasising nutrient adequacy, food variety and minimisation of ultra-processed plant-derived products.
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Plant-Based Diets and Cardiovascular Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in plant-based diets and cardiovascular health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): A form of cholesterol that circulates in the bloodstream and contributes to plaque formation within artery walls.
Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c): A biomarker reflecting average blood glucose levels over the preceding two to three months.
Randomised controlled trial (RCT): An experimental study design in which participants are assigned by chance to receive either an intervention or a control condition, minimising bias.
Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE): A composite endpoint including non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke and cardiovascular death.
Endothelial function: The capacity of blood vessel linings to regulate vascular tone and maintain smooth blood flow, often assessed by flow-mediated dilation.
References
- Vegetarian and vegan diets: benefits and drawbacks. European Heart Journal (2023).
- A whole-food, plant-based intensive lifestyle intervention improves glycaemic control and reduces medications in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. Diabetologia (2024).
- Do all vegetarians have a lower cardiovascular risk? A prospective study. Clinical Nutrition (2023).
- Cardio-Metabolic Benefits of Plant-Based Diets. Nutrients (2017).
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