A new study presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session (ACC.25) suggests that consuming a plant-based diet rich in healthy foods and beverages may help reduce the risk of premature death, particularly for individuals with cardiometabolic disorders like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
The research is the first to specifically evaluate the impact of plant-based diets on people with cardiometabolic conditions. These conditions, which are becoming increasingly common worldwide, are associated with a higher risk of early death.
Impact of a Healthy Plant-Based Diet
According to Dr. Zhangling Chen, MD, PhD, lead author of the study and researcher at the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in Changsha, China, “Among populations with cardiometabolic disorders, higher adherence to a healthful plant-based diet was significantly associated with a lower risk of total, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality.”
Dr. Chen emphasizes that consuming more healthy plant-based foods, reducing unhealthy plant-based foods, and cutting down on animal-based foods are all key to achieving these benefits.
The Role of Diet in Cardiometabolic Health
Cardiometabolic disorders arise from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. These conditions affect cardiovascular health and the body’s ability to process food properly. While medications can manage these disorders, diet and lifestyle choices are essential in preventing their progression into more serious diseases, including heart disease and cancer.
Global Study Analyzes Data from 78,000 Participants
The study analyzed data from nearly 78,000 people with cardiometabolic disorders who participated in large-scale prospective studies in the U.K., U.S., and China. The pooled datasets included 55,000 adults from the U.K. Biobank (2006-2022), 18,000 U.S. adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (1999-2018), and nearly 4,500 Chinese adults from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (2006-2018).
Participants were asked to complete dietary questionnaires or 24-hour dietary recall interviews at the start of the study. Based on their responses, researchers assigned scores according to two dietary indexes:
Healthful Plant-Based Diet Index – Focuses on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, tea, and coffee.
Unhealthful Plant-Based Diet Index – Includes refined grains, potatoes, sugar-sweetened beverages, and animal-based foods.
Key Findings: Diet Can Affect Mortality Risk
The study found that individuals who adhered more closely to a healthful plant-based diet had a 17% to 24% lower risk of dying from any cause, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. In contrast, those who followed an unhealthful plant-based diet had a 28% to 36% higher risk of death from the same causes.
These results remained consistent after adjusting for confounding factors like demographics, lifestyle, and other health conditions. The findings were also consistent across different age groups, races, and levels of physical activity.
Interestingly, the research showed similar results when analyzing the data separately by geographic region (U.K., U.S., and China), despite significant age differences. The average age of participants in the U.K. and U.S. was 57 and 59, respectively, while in China, it was 84.
The Importance of Healthy Beverage Choices
In a separate analysis of NHANES data, researchers found that following a healthy beverage pattern—one that includes tea, coffee, and low-fat milk while limiting alcohol and sugary drinks—was associated with a lower risk of premature death.
Dr. Chen noted that these findings offer useful guidance for individuals with cardiometabolic disorders to make healthier lifestyle choices. He stressed the importance of developing cost-effective strategies to promote better health in this population.
Limitations and Future Research
While the study provides valuable insights, the researchers acknowledged some limitations. Since the dietary data were self-reported at the start of the study and not reassessed, the research cannot account for any dietary changes participants made during the study period. Additionally, some confounding factors were difficult to control for. The team suggests that further studies, including those involving diverse global populations, would strengthen the evidence on the importance of plant-based diets and healthy beverage consumption.
Conclusion
Dr. Zhangling Chen will present these findings, titled “Associations Between Plant-Based Diets and Total Mortality Among Participants with Cardiometabolic Disorders” and “Associations of a Healthy Beverage Score with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality among U.S. Adults: A Nationwide Cohort Study,” at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session on March 29, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. CT.
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