Each year in France, around 157,000 people die of cancer, while 140,000 people are victims of cardiovascular illnesses. The question of prevention for these diseases is therefore essential. To limit the risks of falling victim to it, there are certain lifestyle factors that we can influence. Among them, we find: smoking, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle and diet.
In a meta-analysis published on May 15, 2024 in review PLOS ONE, researchers were interested in the impact of adopting a diet based on plant foods on the risks of developing cancer or cardiovascular disease.
Cancers, cardiovascular diseases: a diet based on plant foods would limit the appearance of risk factors
As the researchers explain, the main objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of a diet without meat or foods of animal origin on the risk factors associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. To carry out their study, the scientists consulted the results of 48 studies on the subject published between January 1, 2000 and June 31, 2023.
After analyzing the various studies, researchers discovered that vegetarian and vegan diets were associated with better health on a number of risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer. Indeed, according to them, the consumption of foods of plant origin promotes in particular the maintenance of good blood pressuregood blood sugar management as well as body mass index optimal. Concerning the risks of developing cancer, scientists have noted a significantly lower overall incidence among people consuming plant foods.
Likewise, a study highlighted in the researchers’ meta-analysis reported that adherence to a plant-based diet was linked to increased risk. heart failure less important. They also pointed out that this type of diet was, “advantageous for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly if started in adolescence”.
“Considerably limited results obtained”
According to the researchers, “the study evaluates the different impacts of diets based on plant foods on cardiovascular health and cancer risk. It also shows how this type of diet can be beneficial for human health, but also be one of the effective preventive strategies for the two chronic diseases with the most impact on human health in the 21st century. However, they believe that the results obtained are significantly limited by the many differences between previous studies in terms of the specific diets followed, patient demographics, study duration as well as other factors.
Sources :
- Cardiovascular health and cancer risk associated with plant based diets: An umbrella review – PLOS ONE
- Two decades of studies suggest health benefits associated with plant-based diets – EurekAlert
- Cancer in figures – Cancer Research Foundation
- Cardiovascular diseases – Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity
