A new study published in PLoS One reports that adults with greater adherence to a vegan dietary pattern had significantly lower levels of a key blood marker associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.
Researchers from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in Iran and the University of Alberta analyzed data from 1,675 adults between the ages of 40 and 70 in southern Iran. The average participant age was 53.4, and 43.5% were men. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire covering 35 food groups, with dietary patterns categorized into three groups: vegan, Western and carbohydrate-based.
The study focused on the atherogenic index of plasma, or AIP, which is calculated as the logarithm of the ratio between triglycerides and HDL cholesterol. Higher AIP levels are associated with increased risk of plaque buildup in arteries and cardiovascular disease. Researchers also evaluated participants’ 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease using a standard prediction model.
Participants in the high AIP group had notably higher cardiovascular risk scores, averaging 7.0, compared to 3.9 in both the low- and intermediate-AIP groups.
Those with high adherence to a vegan dietary pattern had significantly lower AIP levels, averaging 0.41 compared to 0.46 among those with low adherence. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, strong adherence to the vegan diet remained associated with a reduction in AIP (β = -0.047; 95% CI, -0.072 to -0.021; P < 0.001).
In contrast, neither Western-style nor carbohydrate-rich dietary patterns showed a meaningful association with AIP levels.
Researchers conclude that greater adherence to a vegan diet may improve lipid profiles and reduce markers linked to atherosclerosis, underscoring the potential cardiovascular benefits of plant-based eating patterns among middle-aged and older adults.
