2023-07-29 11:10:00
29 studies, 20 clinical trials over a period of 22 years with a total of 1,878 participants… The meta-analysis carried out by researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, is an immense work, the results of which have just been published in the magazine JAMA Network Open. The objective was to analyze the link between a vegetarian diet and three health data: weight and cholesterol and glucose levels.
Vegetarian diet fights high cholesterol and diabetes
Results: vegetarian diets were well associated with a decrease in these three elements. The scientists first evaluated the reduction of LDL-C cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) in participants who changed their diet. So the biggest drop they observed was 12.9 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 0.129 (grams per liter) g/l.
On average, over six months, participants showed a decrease of 6.8 mg/dL, or 0.068 g/l. According to Vidal, “an LDL cholesterol level is considered normal when it is below 1.6 g/l. If the patient has one or more risk factors (for example, a man over 50), this limit value is 1.3 g/l. Beyond that, therapeutic measures must be taken.”
When it comes to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a reflection of blood sugar, researchers observed a 0.25% drop over six months for participants who followed a vegetarian diet. According to French Federation of Diabetics, diabetes is considered balanced if the HbA1c level is less than or equal to 7%. Beyond that, the risk of developing long-term complications increases.
Vegetarian diet: pay attention to the choice of foods
For weight, people who adopted a vegetarian diet and were at high risk for cardiovascular disease lost up to 3.6 kg. The other participants who followed a vegetarian diet without limitation in terms of quantities – and therefore caloric intake – lost an average of 4.7 kg compared to 1.8 kg for those who had a calorie-restricted vegetarian diet. A surprising result from which the researchers do not draw any conclusions as to the advantages or not of an all-you-can-eat vegetarian diet.
Nevertheless, scientists distinguish certain vegetarian foods, in particular prepared meals, which may contain a lot of sugar and therefore be less good for your health. On the other hand, a greater risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes is possible with a vegetarian diet if the vegetables go through a deep fryer first. Foods high in fatty acids and salt are associated with higher risks of developing type 2 diabetes or coronary heart disease (32%).
Thus, this study shows that following a vegetarian diet, paying attention to the foods chosen, can improve the health of people at risk of cardiovascular disease.
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