Globally, the number of vegans is increasing. This doesn’t only apply to vegans. It also applies to vegetarians, flexitarians, and omnivores.
The market is valued at $43,77bn ($40,61bn), with an estimated CAGR of 9.5% over the next 5 years (Marketdigits).
It’s not surprising that a ‘healthy’ plant-based lifestyle has been associated with a number of positive effects, such as improved gut health and longevity. Research linking an ‘healthy plant-based’ diet with a lower risk of cardiometabolic diseases could boost the interest for animal-free.
Can a diet based on plants reduce cardiometabolic diseases?
A ‘healthy’ plant-based eating plan could improve the chances that people with cardiometabolic diseases, like obesity, diabetes or heart disease will live longer. According to a new study from the Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University, in China.
This new study, unlike previous studies that examined the impact of plant-based diets in the general population on cardiometabolic disorders, specifically looked at the effect on people with these conditions.
The study’s lead author, Dr Zhangling Chen says that a higher level of adherence to healthy plant-based foods was associated with lower risks for total mortality, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The study found that “more intake of plant-based healthy foods and less of plant-based unhealthy foods is important”
What is cardiometabolic disorder?
The effects of cardiometabolic disorders on cardiovascular health as well as the ability of your body to digest food are both detrimental. Genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors can cause them.
Medication can manage cardiometabolic disorders, but diet and lifestyle play an important role in their progression into more serious illnesses, such as advanced heart disease or certain cancers.
(Image: Getty/FreshStash) A healthy plant-based eating plan, which includes foods like legumes, is associated with longer life. (Image: Getty/FreshSplash)
The researchers analysed the data of nearly 78,000 patients with cardiometabolic diseases who took part in large prospective studies conducted in China, United Kingdom and United States.
The participants completed either dietary questionnaires, or 24-hour recall interviews of their diets at the start of the study. The researchers then calculated scores using two indexes of diet:
- Healthful plant-based diet index: Tea and coffee, fruits, vegetables, grains whole, beans, and legumes
- Unhealthful plant-based diet index: Sugar-sweetened drinks, refined grains, potatos, high fat foods, salty and sweet foods, and potatoes
Researchers found that a healthier plant-based eating pattern was linked to a reduced risk of dying from cancer, heart disease or any other cause.
A plant-based, unhealthful diet increased the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other causes by 28%-36%.
Researchers adjusted the results for factors that could have influenced the outcome, such as lifestyle, diet and demographics.
The results were consistent in all subgroups, regardless of age, gender, race, smoking status, alcohol consumption, BMI, or physical activity. The results were consistent among people who had different cardiometabolic disorders, as well as in the UK and US.
Chen says that these findings could help people with cardiometabolic diseases make better lifestyle decisions. It is crucial to develop and identify cost-effective health promotion strategies for individuals with cardiometabolic diseases.
(Image: Getty/yipengge) A diet high in unhealthy foods is associated with an increased risk of dying from cancer or cardiovascular disease. (Image: Getty/yipengge)
What impact could it have on the plant-based industries?
Plant-based industries are growing. It has faced criticism in the past few years due to its use of low-quality products and ultra-processing.
The new knowledge of health benefits from a plant-based lifestyle could lead food and beverage producers to produce plant-based products that promote health. This would be a major turning point in the industry.
Statista estimates that 6.62 million Europeans identify as vegans, highlighting the need for healthy plant-based foods.
Source: Plant-based foods could help people with cardiometabolic disorders live longer
Publication date: 18 March 2025
Presentation to the American College of Cardiology
Authors: Zhangling Chen et al.
