Swapping meat for plant-based foods may lower diabetes and heart disease risk

 

German researchers have conducted a comprehensive analysis of over 30 studies and found that replacing meat with plant-based alternatives can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. The evidence showed that substituting 50 grams of processed meat with plant-based foods on a daily basis can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by 25% and the risk of death from any cause by 21%. The Western diet, which is high in red and processed meats and other animal products, is known to have negative impacts on natural resources, climate change, and noncommunicable diseases. Therefore, promoting plant-based dietary alternatives is increasingly becoming necessary to address these issues. The systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by the German researchers is the first of its kind and suggests that shifting from animal-based foods to plant-based foods can have significant benefits for cardiometabolic health and all-cause mortality.