Healthy plant-based diets reduce death risk significantly

A recent analysis suggests that a healthy plant-based diet may help people with heart and metabolic diseases live longer. This diet includes vegetables, tea, and coffee, and is linked to lower risk of death from various causes. The study will be presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in Chicago on March 29, 2025. Researchers found that following a healthy plant-based diet significantly reduced the risk of death from heart disease and cancer. In contrast, an unhealthy plant-based diet increased mortality risks. Researchers looked at data from nearly 78,000 people with conditions like obesity and diabetes in the U.K., U.S., and China. They analyzed diet information to determine how healthy or unhealthy participants' eating habits were at the start of the study. Participants who ate more refined grains, sugars, and animal products were rated as following an unhealthy diet. Those who ate more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains had scores reflecting a healthier diet. This scoring system helped researchers assess the impact of diet on life expectancy. The findings indicate that a healthy plant-based diet can lower death risk by 17% to 24%. In contrast, an unhealthy diet raised death risk by 28% to 36%. These results were consistent across various factors, including age and lifestyle. While the study shows a connection between diet and longevity, it does not prove that healthy eating directly causes longer life. The results underline the potential benefits of plant-based diets, especially for those with heart and metabolic issues. Researchers plan to explore how plant-based diets affect life expectancy in different populations, including those in Latin America.