Looking at the health records of more than 125,000 people in the UK, international scientists have found that a healthy, balanced vegan diet is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer and premature death compared with non-vegan diets.
However, this is based on the premise that vegan diets are healthy.
The researchers also found that vegans who drank more sugary drinks and fruit juices, and consumer more snacks, deserts, refined grains and potatoes had a higher risk of the above conditions compared with non-vegans.
While this type of study (an observational study) can’t show a healthy vegan diet actually causes improvements in health outcomes, the authors recommend people concerned about chronic disease adopt a plant-based diet that’s low in animal products, sugary drinks, snacks and desserts, refined grains, potatoes, and fruit juices.
For more information and to read the study, visit: jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2802814
