A study of 126,394 UK Biobank participants (JAMA Network Open, 2023): those with the highest adherence to a healthy plant-based diet had a 16% lower risk of death and lower risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease. An unhealthy plant-based pattern (sweets, refined foods) was linked to higher risk.

JAMA Network Open · 2023Open accessPMID 36976560

Key facts

Who was studied: UK Biobank adults (mean age 56, 56% women)
Sample: 126394 people
Duration: 10.6–12.2 years of follow-up depending on outcome
Main result: Highest vs lowest hPDI quartile: mortality HR 0.84 (95% CI 0.78–0.91), cancer 0.93 (0.88–0.99) and CVD 0.92 (0.86–0.99).
Authors: Thompson AS et al.
Full text: PubMed Central (free)DOI 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.4714

Editorial summary by Vegan Guide based on the publication. This is not medical advice.

Study details

Limitations

Residual confounding cannot be ruled out.
Diet was quantified from at least two 24-h assessments, likely underestimating associations (regression dilution).

Funding: British Heart Foundation; Cancer Research UK (29017); Department of Health; Medical Research Council; Wellcome Trust (wg listy grantów PubMed)

Conflict of interest: declared