Introduction
Non-communicable diseases are the biggest killer worldwide (Lopez-Gil et al., 2020). These include heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancers. Metabolic syndrome increases one’s risk of developing any of these concerning diseases drastically – not a position one wants to find themselves in. So, as is widely known and expressed, prevention is always the best route to take, as opposed to treatment. After all, how many of us know at least one person in our lives who have been affected by any one of these diseases, in some way or another?
So, over the summer, I conducted my research project for my master’s on the topic of the role of plant-based diets in the prevention of metabolic syndrome and other related cardiovascular risk factors. I embarked on my first systematic review journey, familiarising myself with the lure of this format of writing and learning along the way – an exciting and busy adventure.
Methodology
My systematic review entailed a meticulous search, following the very helpful Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Checklist – my great friend for the duration of this project. I searched the esteemed databases Embase, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, unearthing studies that explore the relationship between plant-based diets and their effects on metabolic health. After rigorous selection and methodical evaluation, I ended up with 57 studies to be included in the review, each offering a unique perspective on this interesting topic.
Key Findings
Following a comprehensive analysis of the selected studies, a panorama of key findings emerged, painting a compelling picture:
- Metabolic Syndrome and Caridometabolic Risk: Healthy plant-based diets have the potential to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome and its associated cardiometabolic risk factors, including lipid profile management (Jenkins et al., 2020).
- Weight Management: Those who follow a healthy plant-based diet, long-term, tend to maintain healthier weights and reduce the risk of overweight and obesity (McGrath & Fernandez, 2022).
- Gestational Diabetes: Some papers on the topic of gestational diabetes and plant-based diets were also found in the search, showing that the adopting of a plant-based diet during pregnancy can help reduce the incidence of gestational diabetes (Chen et al., 2021).
Discussion
While these findings offer a promising outlook on the potential of plant-based diets, it is crucial to acknowledge that individual responses may vary. Factors such as dietary choices, genetics, socioeconomic status, culture, mindsets, and lifestyle continue to play important roles in overall health. Further research is needed, as many of the studies stated, with larger sample sizes and more rigorous study designs, on the topic of plant-based diets and health outcomes, although it is looking positive for plant-based eating enthusiasts.
Practical Takeaways
For those considering the integration of plant-based eating into their lives, practical takeaways can include:
- Diverse, Nutritionally-Adequate Plant-Based Food Choices: Embrace the array of healthy, wholefood plant-based foods, such as eating more fruits, vegetables, legumes (i.e., chickpeas, lentils, peas) on a daily basis.
- Seek Expert Guidance: For personalised dietary guidance, perhaps speaking with a professional, such as a registered dietitian, if possible or affordable, could be the best way to go, to ensure optimal health outcomes.
Call to Action
Upon conducting this systematic review, it has been found that the importance of the quality of a plant-based diet is critical to obtain any health benefits – it needs to be healthy. Perhaps the world of human nutrition and dietetics needs to be revised and updated, to ensure official information is available on plant-based diets and nutrition. Assessing the risks of bias in the studies was fascinating – it makes me question whether the world of funding source bias should be re-evaluated too – should it be allowed, for example, for the egg industry to fund a study discussing the benefits of consuming eggs as part of a plant-based diet?
There is plenty of more work and research to be done, and I cannot wait, hopefully, to start my career in what I am passionate about – plant-based food and climate justice.
References
López-Gil, J. F., & Tárraga-López, P. J. (2022). Research on Diet and Human Health.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6526.
Jenkins, D. J. A., Wong, J. M. W., Kendall, C. W. C., Esfahani, A., Ng, V. W. Y., Leong, T. C. K.,
Faulkner, D. A., Vidgen, E., Paul, G., Mukherjea, R., Krul, E. S., & Singer, W. (2014).
Effect of a 6-month vegan low-carbohydrate (‘Eco-Atkins’) diet on cardiovascular risk
factors and body weight in hyperlipidaemic adults: A randomised controlled trial
[Article]. BMJ Open, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2013-003505.
McGrath, L., & Fernandez, M.-L. (2022). Plant-based diets and metabolic syndrome:
Evaluating the influence of diet quality. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 9,
- https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100322.
McGrath, L., & Fernandez, M.-L. (2022). Plant-based diets and metabolic syndrome:
Evaluating the influence of diet quality. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 9,
- https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2022.100322.