Study: Benefits of Plant-Based Diet Include “Weight Loss, Improved Cardiovascular Health, Lower Blood Pressure”

According to a new the benefits of a plant-based diet “include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improved glucose metabolism”, with the benefits being greater for obese individuals.

The study, titled Plant-based diet for obesity treatment, was published in this months issue of the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, and was epublished by the National Library of Medicine. It was conducted by researchers at the Universiti Brunei Darussalam in Brunei.

“Obesity rates continue to rise, resulting in a global epidemic that shows no sign of slowing down”, states the study’s abstract. “Our understanding of this complex disease is also constantly evolving, requiring healthcare providers to stay up to date with best practices. The application of plant-based diets (PBDs) may hold the key to a successful weight-control strategy.”

They continue: “PBD refers to any dietary pattern that emphasizes the consumption of plant foods while excluding the consumption of most or all animal products. The purpose of this mini-review is to report on the application of PBDs as a potential treatment for obesity.”

Plant-based diets have also “been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of other non-communicable diseases, such as the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes”, states the abstract. “Many of the reported RCTs were of short duration. Longer-term studies, as well as studies focusing on strict adherence to the PBD regime, are needed.”

The study concludes by stating that “PBD is a beneficial approach to improving health, particularly in obese patients. Benefits include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improved glucose metabolism.”

The full study can be found at the following link: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.952553/full

The study’s full abstract can be found below.

Abstract

Obesity rates continue to rise, resulting in a global epidemic that shows no sign of slowing down. Our understanding of this complex disease is also constantly evolving, requiring healthcare providers to stay up to date with best practices. The application of plant-based diets (PBDs) may hold the key to a successful weight-control strategy. PBD refers to any dietary pattern that emphasizes the consumption of plant foods while excluding the consumption of most or all animal products. The purpose of this mini-review is to report on the application of PBDs as a potential treatment for obesity. PBDs have also been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of other non-communicable diseases, such as the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Many of the reported RCTs were of short duration. Longer-term studies, as well as studies focusing on strict adherence to the PBD regime, are needed. PBD is a beneficial approach to improving health, particularly in obese patients. Benefits include weight loss, improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and improved glucose metabolism.