Theโ Power โขof Plants: Study Links Plant-Based Dietsโ to Reduced Risk โof Multiple Chronic Diseases
A new study from Hee University in โSouth Koreaโ reveals a strong โlink between plant-based diets and a lower risk of developing multiple chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease. The research,published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity,analyzed data from over 400,000 participants aged 37 to 70 across six European countries: Italy,Spain,the United โฃKingdom,germany,the Netherlands,and Denmark. The data sources included the European โProspective Researchโข Study on Cancer and Nutrition (Epic) and the United Kingdom Biobank.The study’s primary finding demonstrates that diets prioritizing plant foods with limited animal product consumption are โassociated with a reduced risk โof not onlyโ individual chronic illnesses like diabetesโ and cardiovascular disease, but also the simultaneous progress of two or more chronic conditions – a phenomenon known as multimorbidity.
“Our study emphasizes that a โฃhealthy diet based on plants not only influences individualโ chronic diseases, but can also reduce the risk of developing multiple chronic diseases simultaneously occurring, โฃboth in medium-sized people and in older people,” explained Reynaldaโ Cรณrdova, theโ study’s lead author and a nutritional epidemiologist.
Specifically,the research highlighted the benefits of incorporating fruits,vegetables,whole grains,and legumes into one’s โdiet.โข Researchers found that individuals with the highest adherenceโ to these plant-focused dietary patterns experienced a 32% lower risk of โmultimorbidity โcompared to those with the lowest adherence, according to data fromโ theโฃ British Biobank.
Cรณrdova emphasized that complete eliminationโฃ ofโ animal products isn’t necessaryโข to reap the benefits. “You do not have to eliminate animal products entirely. Change โto a diet based on plants canโ already haveโ a positive impact,” she stated.
Karl-Heinz Wagner, co-author โฃofโฃ the study and president of the โAustrian Societyโค of Nutrition, underscored the importance of prioritizing a health-focused diet. He also pointed out an additional advantage: “An additional benefit of plants-based diet is lower greenhouse gas emissions โandโค land use.”
Theโ researchers conclude that dietary guidelines, public health initiatives, and interventions should actively promote diets composed primarily of plant foods, with smaller portions of animal products, โas a preventative measure against a range of diseases.